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Italy omit Borriello and Rossi

Goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu, defender Mattia Cassani and midfielder Andrea Cossu were the other players from a provisional 28-man squad to miss out on the trip to South Africa for the June 11-July 11 finals.

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Winger Mauro Camoranesi, part of the team that triumphed in the 2006 tournament, was included on the Italian football federation's squad list despite pulling out of altitude training in the Alps on Tuesday with a knee injury.

World Cup winner Lippi, who will quit after the finals and be replaced by Fiorentina's Cesare Prandelli, waited until the final hours of deadline day to name his squad having earlier planned to announce his 23 in mid-May.

"The age factor is certainly a variable that can influence things. The motivation and physical condition of an older player can condition selections," former Italy midfielder Stefano Fiore, who played in the Euro 2000 final, told Reuters.

"But I don't think this should be a big problem for Italy. The coach has his men, those he won the World Cup with, and even if they are not young they can make up for it with experience."

"I thank Lippi for the faith he is showing in me. I don't consider myself as a second striker but as