PrAvI HrVaT
06-12-2004, 01:27 PM
Croatian keeper may be out of EURO 2004
Lisbon, Portugal (Sports Network) - The news was not positive on Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa as the goalkeeper could miss the entire EURO 2004 competition after tests revealed a rupture of the muscle in his thigh.
Croatia opens the competition against Switzerland in a Group B match on Sunday. Tomislav Butina is expected to take Pletikosa's place in the starting 11.
Pletikosa, 25, was the only Croatian player to play every minute of every qualifying match. He performed very well while keeping six clean sheets in the eight games.
Croatia will be holding its breath in hope that Pletikosa can return at some point in the tournament. He will almost certainly miss the first two games against Switzerland and France. There is some slight hope he will be able to return for a June 21 matchup with England.
:worried: :worried: :worried: :worried: :worried: :worried:
Lisbon, Portugal (Sports Network) - The news was not positive on Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa as the goalkeeper could miss the entire EURO 2004 competition after tests revealed a rupture of the muscle in his thigh.
Croatia opens the competition against Switzerland in a Group B match on Sunday. Tomislav Butina is expected to take Pletikosa's place in the starting 11.
Pletikosa, 25, was the only Croatian player to play every minute of every qualifying match. He performed very well while keeping six clean sheets in the eight games.
Croatia will be holding its breath in hope that Pletikosa can return at some point in the tournament. He will almost certainly miss the first two games against Switzerland and France. There is some slight hope he will be able to return for a June 21 matchup with England.
:worried: :worried: :worried: :worried: :worried: :worried: