Del Piero long for a Italian recall for Euro 2008

ROME, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Juventus captain and 2006 World Cup winner Alessandro Del Piero eagerly await a recall from the Italian national soccer team for Euro 2008 after a big-scoring season in Serie A.

"I think I have deserved (a place at) the European championships with a beautiful season," Del Piero told Juve's in-house TV channel.

"In the end (Italy coach Roberto) Donadoni will calmly make his selection and he'll bank on those who deserve it," he said.

The 33-year-old Italian striker has 27 goals in 85 international caps but has not played for his country since givinga poor performance in a goalless qualifying match against France in September.

He scored 18 goals and helped the third-placed Juventus secure a Champions League qualification slot on their return to the top flight after relegation over the 2006 match-fixing scandal.