Croatia lose Olic for Euro 2012 World Soccer Shop

Croatia have been dealt a major blow with Ivica Olic ruled out of Euro 2012 due to a thigh injury, the striker replaced by Nikola Kalinic.

Olic: WIll not take part in Poland and Ukraine

Scans have revealed the full extent of departing Bayern Munich frontman Olic's thigh injury and he is expected to be out of action for between four and six weeks.

His place in the Croatia squad, who provide the Republic of Ireland's first opponents in Group C, will be taken by Dnipro's Kalinic, the former Blackburn Rovers striker.

A statement on the Croatian Football Federation's official website, www.hns-cff.hr, said: "Unfortunately, Ivica Olic will not participate at the European Championships in Ukraine and Poland, and as his replacement, coach Slaven Bilic has called Nikola Kalinic."

Olic, who is to join Wolfsburg later this summer, suffered the injury in a friendly draw with Norway at the weekend.

The Croatians open their campaign against the Republic in Poznan on Sunday evening.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17743/croatia_lose_olic_for_euro_2012

Olic ruled out of Euro 2012

Croatia striker Ivica Olic has been ruled out of Euro 2012 with a thigh injury, the country’s football federation has announced.

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic had been sweating over the fitness of the Bayern Munich striker since he sustained a thigh injury in the 1-1 friendly draw against Norway at the weekend.

A scan has revealed a partial rupture of the biceps muscle of the 32-year-old’s right thigh, with an estimated recovery of four to six weeks.

Bilic has acted quickly to replace Olic, calling Dnipro’s 24-year-old striker Nikola Kalinic, who has 13 caps to his name, into the squad.

Croatia will kick off their Euro campaign against Republic of Ireland before taking on Italy and Spain.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/olic-ruled-out-of-euro-2012/95843/

Croatia´s Olic in doubt for Euro 2012

Experienced Wolfsburg striker Ivica Olic is in doubt for Croatia’s Euro 2012 campaign due to a thigh injury.

Olic, 32, picked up the problem during his team’s 1-1 friendly draw against Norway on Sunday, and may not regain fitness in time for the tournament.

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic may now be forced to reconsider his attacking options ahead of their Euro 2012 opener against Republic of Ireland on June 10.

“I cannot guarantee that Olic will play at the Euros,” Croatia squad doctor Zoran Bahtijarevic told Sportske Novosti.

“We did the first medical exam at the stadium in Oslo to check the flexibility of the muscle. It seemed fine, but he will undergo a complete scan on Monday in Munich.

“I’m an optimist. So far the medical evidence suggests he could (play at the Euros), but let’s wait until the scan.”

Following the Group C match against Republic of Ireland, Croatia take on Italy and then tournament holders Spain.

Olic has agreed a switch to Wolfsburg on a free transfer from Bayern Munich, bringing an end to his three-year stay at the Allianz Arena.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/croatia%c2%b4s-olic-in-doubt-for-euro-2012/95827/

Injury casts doubt on Lampard for Euros

Veteran England midfielder Frank Lampard’s participation in Euro 2012 is in doubt.

Lampard was forced out of training on Wednesday with a thigh injury, a problem that England’s doctors will assess on Thursday before making a decision on his fitness for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has already been notified of the injury and put on standby.

“Frank Lampard has today (Wednesday) pulled up in training with a thigh injury,” the FA confirmed.

“He will have a scan and be assessed by the England medical team tomorrow (Thursday).

“Jordan Henderson has been put on standby notice as cover whilst Lampard continues to be monitored.”

Lampard, who won the Champions League with Chelsea this season, has played in every one of England’s games at international tournaments since 2002.

He was named in the the final 23-man squad for the Euros when it was submitted to UEFA on Tuesday, but players can be still be substituted before the tournament’s start as long as an independent examination from a UEFA doctor confirms that a player is too injured to play.

England are due to face Belgium at Wembley in their final friendly before the tournament begins. Their first game of the group stage is against France on June 11.

England manager Roy Hodgson has already been forced to make one late amendment to his squad, after Gareth Barry was ruled out of the tournament with a stomach tear.

Henderson had been expected to replace the Manchester City midfielder, but Hodgson opted instead to bolster his defensive ranks with the versatile Phil Jagielka.

Barry’s withdrawal came after third-choice goalkeeper John Ruddy was also forced out after breaking his finger.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/injury-casts-doubt-on-lampard-for-euros/95529/