http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2008/netherlands/7429356.stm Netherlands winger Ryan Babel will play no part in the Euro 2008 championship after he tore ankle ligaments in training on Saturday. The 21-year-old Liverpool star had been expected to play some part of the team's final warm-up match against Wales in Rotterdam on Sunday. And he was set to be a key part of Marco van Basten's squad for the tournament in Austria and Switzerland. Van Basten is believed to be already discussing a replacement for Babel. The Netherlands are in Group C along with France, Italy and Romania for Euro 2008, which kicks off on 7 June. Van Basten also has a concern over the fitness of Arsenal striker Robin van Persie, who has been on the sidelines since joining the squad last week. However, Van Persie is optimistic about making his side's opener against world champions Italy on 9 June. "I am in the final phase of my recovery. I feel fit," Van Persie told NOS network.
Very dissapointed for Babel. Playing for his country in the euros would have been a massive honour for him. Hopefully he'll be fit and ready for the start of the new season.
Yeah very dissapointing for the lad, I was looking forward to watching him in the finals it would have done his confidence the world of good.
Couldn't believe it when I heard this. We were looking at his odds of 22/1 to be top premiership scorer at Euro 2008 yesterday thinking it was a good bet. Main thing now will be to get him fit for start of next season....
Shame, Im looking forward to seeing as many of our players in the Euro's, it will benifit us next season if he is rested.
Very sorry to read of his injury ... While I'd generally support any player who may have the opportunity to go to the Olympics, I don't think he'd be right to go after this injury. It says HERE that he may have recovered in time, thats simply not good enough .... Anyone who gets injured needs sufficient time to recover, not to have such significant pressure put on them, as to represent their country at the Olympics when they may not have even fully healed etc.