Hosts disappointed at England's absence from Euro 2008

LUCERNE, Switzerland (Reuters) - England's absence from the Euro 2008 finals was disappointing, the football association presidents of joint hosts Austria and Switzerland said on Saturday.

"We are very disappointed that England did not make it because we think that England, the mother country of football, deserves to be in such a tournament," Ralph Zloczower, the president of the Swiss FA, told Reuters.

"We are very sorry that they did not make it. Everyone will miss them -- but of course the Russians are very welcome."

Friedrich Stickler, the president of the Austrian FA, said the tournament would not be the same without England.

"It is the only teardrop for us right now. It is the only thing I regret, and I regret it very strongly indeed that England will not be involved," he told Reuters.

"They bring such a special flavour, to the tournament, special colour with their fans and generally they have such an impact.

"It is still hard for me to accept they will not be coming. It is a great shame and we will really miss them."

England failed to qualify for the finals after losing 3-2 to Croatia in their last qualifying match on November 21. That result, coupled with Russia's 1-0 win in Andorra, meant Russia pipped England for the second qualifying spot from Group E.

UEFA had estimated that between 150,000 and 200,000 English fans would have travelled to Austria and Switzerland for next year's finals, with those without tickets watching matches in bars or fan zones as they did at last year's World Cup finals in Germany.

They are not expecting as many Russian fans to take their place.

(Editing by Clare Fallon)