It is only at major championships like Euro 2008 that training sessions become public events.

Any hint of an injury or a change of formation is gold dust to the world’s press, but often we are forced to sit and watch 23 men run around for two hours without a story in sight.

At least world champions Italy have offered some entertainment and a window onto the wacky world of training.

Two female streakers stormed a session in Italy before they flew out.

On arrival in Austria, midfielder Daniele De Rossi leapt like a salmon in an ultra competitive game of head tennis which was strictly umpired and scored by coach Roberto Donadoni.

They also spent half an hour trying to curl the ball into the goal with the instep from various points on the byline. Only a couple of players managed to score with the post taking a lot of punishment.

Former AC Milan magician Donadoni was the king of trying the bend the ball in with the outside of the boot, though. Just to show who’s boss.

Mark Meadows, with the Italy team in Baden, Austria