GOONERSGUIDE EURO 2008 NEWS SECTION

This is our Euro 2008 news section where we provide any news items that might have a significant effect on the matches being played - or sports betting in general.

Euro 2008 News :: Pogrebnyak knee injury - dropped from Russian squad

Posted on 2008-06-07 by Gooner

Russia striker Pavel Pogrebnyak has been ruled out of UEFA EURO 2008 due to a knee injury with midfielder Oleg Ivanov set to take his place in the squad.

The 24-year-old has been troubled by a left knee cartilage problem sustained while scoring the first goal in Russia's 2-1 friendly win against Serbia on 28 May.

He has not trained with the national team since, but coach Guus Hiddink did not give up hope of him appearing in the group stage until today, and has asked UEFA for permission to register uncapped FC Krylya Sovetov Samara midfielder Ivanov in his place.

Hiddink said: "It was Pogrebnyak's own decision to leave the squad. We tried everything to get him fit but it was impossible. It's a big blow for the team and especially a big blow for the player himself. He was a very important player for us especially after what he did in the UEFA Cup this season."

The 21-year-old Ivanov has been training with Russia in Leogang with a view to replacing Pogrebnyak if he failed to return to full fitness. According to Article 16.05 of the Regulations of the UEFA European Football Championship: "In the event of serious injury to a listed player before his team's first match in the final tournament, the player in question may be substituted only if a doctor from the UEFA Medical Committee and the team doctor concerned both confirm that the injury is sufficiently serious to prevent the player from taking part."

Sourced From : UEFA.com

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