[funkdoctorspock]

Thought this would be a good add to keep track of all injuries which take place during the tournament.

Moderators running this section. Feel free to edit this first post so folks know of all injuries. Thanks!


Alexander Frei - Switzerland - Knee Injury - Sustained during match against Czech Republic on 06.07.08

[Torque]

Arjen Robben is set to miss the Netherlands' UEFA EURO 2008™ Group C opener against Italy on Monday after picking up a groin injury.

'Huge blow'
The KNVB announced that the 24-year-old Real Madrid CF winger sustained the problem in a closed training session this morning at the Stade Olympique de la Pontaise in Lausanne. "In the first place, this is obviously a huge setback for Arjen himself," said Netherlands coach Marco van Basten. "But also for the team this is a huge blow, as we have already lost Ryan Babel in that position. Together with the medical staff, Arjen will work very hard on his recovery and we really hope he can rejoin the team very quickly."

Great expectations
Although his most-recent competitive match for the Oranje came last October, in a UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier against Slovenia, Robben's form in the build-up to the finals had been highly promising. He produced an outstanding display in his country's 1-1 draw with Denmark on 29 May, setting up a Ruud van Nistelrooy goal and scored his ninth goal in 33 internationals against Wales four days later. With Liverpool FC's Ryan Babbel also sidelined, Robben was a likely starter against the world champions on Monday.

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Man, you could swear they're doomed. No Robben, no Melchiot, no Babel and Van Persie.

Kuszczak out of Euro 2008

United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak has pulled out of Poland's Euro 2008 squad with a back injury.

The goalkeeper, who is generally second choice with his national side behind Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc, but he has been ruled out for around three weeks after suffering the injury in training.

United have been assured that the 26-year-old will be fit for the Reds' preparations for the start of the 2008/09 campaign.

The news came as yet another blow for the Poles, who have also lost midfielder Jakub Blaszczykowski, in the lead up to their opening Group B clash with Germany on Sunday.

Coach Leo Beenhakker has requested permission to call up Wojciech Kowalewski as Kuszczak's replacement to join Boruc and Arsenal's Lukasz Fabianski as Poland's three goalkeepers.

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[mark08]

gutted for Kuszczak even though the chances of him playing were slim.

and as for holland, they finally get it together in terms fo team bondingetc. and then end up wid crocked players possibly ruining their tournament!

talk about a no-win situation!

[Mark]

Frei facing six weeks out

Switzerland striker Alexander Frei looks likely to miss the rest of Euro 2008 with a tear of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

Originally Posted by teamtalk

The Swiss FA have revealed their initial diagnosis of his injury - and it would rule the Borussia Dortmund forward out for a minimum of six weeks and mean his participation in Euro 2008 is over.

A statement on the Swiss FA's official website read: "The Swiss record goalscorer suffered a partial tear of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee in a challenge with Czech defender Zdenek Grygera shortly before the break.

"That is the initial diagnosis. (That would mean) Frei will be out for a minimum of six weeks."

Article Here!



nasty blow for Frei and Switzerland

[mark08]

felt well sorry for frei!

he knws the swiss arent gonna make tournaments every 2 yrs so for him to miss this one in his own country is harsh.

its these impact injuries that end up causing the most damage wid ACL tears etc.
(talking from experience!)

big blow for the swiss as well wid 2 tough games for them to salvage something

[Torque]

A huge blow for Poland. He could miss the rest of the campaign.

Poland captain Maciej Żurawski is likely to miss the rest of UEFA EURO 2008™ because of an injury he picked up in Sunday's defeat by Germany in Group B.

Żurawski blow
The forward was forced to withdraw at half-time during Poland's 2-0 loss in Klagenfurt and he had initially hoped to regain fitness in time for their second game, against Austria in Vienna on Thursday. But the 31-year-old will watch the rest of their Group B games from the sideline and will only get another chance to play in UEFA EURO 2008™ if Poland progress to the knockout stage, according to the medical staff of the Polish Football Association.

Lewandowksi doubt
"Maciej Żurawski has strained quads and [has] some bleeding so it's likely he will not be available for the team, maybe even until the end of the tournament," team doctor Jerzy Grzywocz said at Monday's press conference in Bad Waltersdorf. "For the moment he will not participate in the next two games." He added that midfield player Mariusz Lewandowski had a problem with his ankle but should be fit to face Austria.

Saganowski chance
Poland coach Leo Beenhakker will assess his options for the Vienna meeting with the tournament co-hosts but Southampton FC forward Marek Saganowski, who came on as a substitute against Germany, is favourite to replace Żurawski up front. It is not the first injury problem Beenhakker has faced, with two members of his original 23-man squad, defender Jakub Błaszczykowski and goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak, both forced to withdraw in the lead-up to the finals.

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[Torque]

Another player out of Euro 2008. This really spoiled their mood yesterday.

Sweden are resigned to being without Christian Wilhelmsson for the rest of UEFA EURO 2008™ after the winger tore a hamstring during last night's 2-0 triumph against the holders Greece.

'It's a blow'
The 28-year-old pulled 78 minutes in the Group D fixture in Salzburg and was immediately strapped up and taken for tests. National team doctor Lars Valentin said of Wilhelmsson: "He's got a torn hamstring and probably won't be able to play again in the tournament." Coach Lars Lagerbäck added: "Obviously it's a blow to lose him. He was in the starting eleven and is a very good player, but others have been keeping in shape."

Likely replacements
The RC Deportivo La Coruña midfielder has reportedly said he expects to be out for around six weeks, creating a void on the right wing for Sweden. Lagerbäck has refused to be drawn on who will replace Wilhelmsson against Spain on Saturday, although the likes of Sebastian Larsson or Johan Elmander could be candidates for the game in Innsbruck. Spain defeated Russia 4-1 in their opening fixture.

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Huntelaar sits out Netherlands training

AFC Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar sat out the Netherlands' morning session in Lausanne after injuring his calf in training yesterday.

'Doing OK'
Marco van Basten expects to have the 24-year-old available for Friday's game against France, when the Oranje will look to build on their opening 3-0 humbling of Italy. "We'll have to see if he can train again on Thursday," said the coach. "But he's doing OK." Defender Mario Melchiot remains doubtful for the fixture in Berne with a pelvic problem while Arjen Robben is definitely out and is working on shaking off a groin strain in time for the final Group C match against Romania on Tuesday.

Not favourites
Van Basten said: "Arjen is recovering well. If things continue to go well he could play against Romania." The former striker and his team have been lauded in the Dutch media for their heroics against the Azzurri, prompting the coach to call for calm: "To be favourites you need to play more than one good game. We're not there yet, but we do want to take the positive aspects of the performance against Italy into the France match."

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[Mark]

it would be a big blow for Germany

Podolski doubt for decider

Lukas Podolski has an ankle injury and is doubtful for Germany's decisive Euro 2008 Group B match against Austria.

Originally Posted by eurosport.yahoo.com

"Podolski has taken a knock on the ankle and could not train today," Germany coach Joachim Loew said. "We'll have to wait and see. We may be forced to make changes."

Podolski has provided all three of Germany's goals at the tournament, scoring in a 2-0 win over Poland and Thursday's 2-1 defeat by Croatia.

Loew also said Marcell Jansen and Philipp Lahm had picked up injuries but Lahm himself said he would be fit to face Austria on Monday, when Germany will need at least a draw to go through to the quarter-finals.

Jansen, who had a poor game against Croatia, has a shoulder problem, Loew said.

Meanwhile, midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger will miss the game after being banned for one match.

UEFA confirmed he had been suspended for unsporting conduct after being sent off in the 92nd minute against Croatia.

Schweinsteiger became the first player to be sent off at these finals when he pushed Jerko Leko to the ground in retaliation for a tackle from behind in injury time.

"The sending off was naturally very frustrating," he told the official German Football Federation website.

"But after the kick from behind I felt a stabbing pain in my already painful ankle and I reacted badly.

"I firmly believe in our team and that we'll get to the quarter-finals. I'll be crossing my fingers for the team from the stands," he added.

Article Here!

[Torque]

OMG. No way. Germany needs Podolski. He HAS to be fit!!!

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Romania face up to Rădoi blow



Romania expect to be without midfielder Mirel Rădoi in their decisive UEFA EURO 2008™ Group C encounter with the Netherlands after he suffered a serious facial injury in today's 1-1 draw with Italy.

Surgery needed
The holding player from FC Steaua Bucureşti broke a bone under his left eye and dislocated his nose in an accidental clash of heads with team-mate Răzvan Raţ during the first half in Zurich. Coach Victor Piţurcă revealed the extent of the problem after the final whistle, saying: "I was told it is quite serious – apparently he will need eye surgery and he has a broken nose too. Although I haven't spoken to the doctor, I don't think he will be able to play the next game." While the 27-year-old Rădoi is a major doubt for Tuesday, centre-back Dorin Goian definitely misses out through suspension. Second-placed Romania will secure progress from Group C with a win against the Netherlands.

euro2008.uefa.com - Romania face up to Rădoi blow

[Mark]

Podolski, Frings doubtful

Lukas Podolski and Torsten Frings are both doubtful for Germany's Euro 2008 quarter-final against Portugal on Thursday.

Originally Posted by eurosport.yahoo.com

Podolski took a knock to his calf and Frings suffered a fractured rib in Monday's 1-0 win over Austria in Group B.

"Podolski definitely won't train today and it's going to be tight for Thursday," Germany boss Joachim Loew said.

"The medical department will do everything they can to get him fit but he had real problems in the second half against Austria (on Monday)."

Frings complained of discomfort on Tuesday and a subsequent X-ray at a hospital in Lugano revealed a broken rib.

"As Frings is an important member of the team we'll exhaust every possibility to get him fit to play against Portugal," Loew said.

"He'll receive intensive treatment over the coming hours. A decision will not be made until Thursday."

Playing as a midfielder, Podolski has scored three of Germany's four goals in the tournament and with forwards Mario Gomez and Miroslav Klose in poor form his absence would be a significant blow for Loew's side.

Frings is a hard-running, aggressive presence alongside Michael Ballack in midfield and there is no like-for-like replacement in the squad.

Earlier on Tuesday, Loew said Bastian Schweinsteiger, who was suspended against Austria, would probably return on Thursday.

"He didn't start in either of the first two games but when he came on he gave us pace and creativity," said the coach. "I expect him to be back in the team on Thursday."

Loew also expressed confidence in Gomez.

"I'm sure we can still benefit from his abilities at this tournament," he said. "His finishing has been disappointing so far but he's not just standing there. He's working hard and helping the team."

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Croatia ace ruled out

Croatia defender Dario Knezevic will miss the rest of Euro 2008 with a knee injury.

Originally Posted by eurosport.yahoo.com

Knezevic, one of nine reserves fielded in Croatia's 1-0 Group B win over Poland in Klagenfurt on Monday, limped off in the first half and was substituted by first-choice defender Vedran Corluka.

"His injury is not serious in the long term but he is out of the European Championship with strained knee ligaments," manager Slaven Bilic told a news conference in the team's training base.

"It's a huge blow for us because he is a strong centre back."

Croatia take on Turkey in the quarter-finals in Vienna on Friday.

Midfielders Darijo Srna and Ivan Rakitic will also miss Tuesday's training to recover from minor knocks.

Werder Bremen striker Ivan Klasnic, who scored the winner against Poland in a dream return to top level football after two kidney transplants last year, is going back to Bremen for a routine medical check-up.

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Double doubt for Sweden

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been training on his own and Niclas Alexandersson is a doubt for Sweden's decisive Euro 2008 clash with Russia.

Originally Posted by eurosport.yahoo.com

Ibrahimovic, who has scored twice in the championship, has been struggling with a chronic knee problem and was substituted at halftime in their 2-1 defeat by Spain on Saturday but could still be fit for Wednesday's match.

Coach Lars Lagerback seemed more doubtful about Alexandersson, who had been expected to return at full back after missing the 2-1 defeat by Spain because of a leg strain.

"As for Alexandersson, we're not completely sure. He's going to give it a go at training this evening to try himself out but I think there are some question marks as he has not performed at maximum training so far," Lagerback said.

"For Zlatan it's more or less similar as after the previous two games."

Sweden need a draw against Russia to progress to the quarter-finals. Spain have already qualified from the group, while holders Greece have been eliminated.

Lagerback denied Sweden were the clear favourites that his opposite number Guus Hiddink had made them but admitted their experience could be important against a young Russian side if they were either winning or drawing near the end of the match.

"This is where it's so good to have experienced players. If it's a good (score) when it gets close to 90 minutes, you need to make sure you don't go crazy pushing everything forward, you don't have to rush your game in any way," he said.

"We are two fairly equal teams with slightly different approaches to the game. It's 50-50 or so. I don't see us as a major or clear favourite."

Sweden captain Fredrik Ljungberg said he expected a very open game.

"The Russians will want to attack a lot, which suits us," he said. "I think we'll have an even game but hopefully we can attack a bit more than we did against Spain."

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