Holland winger Ryan Babel ruled out of Euro 2008
Marco van Basten will miss Ryan Babel
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Saturday, 31, May 2008 07:54
Holland have suffered a major blow ahead of Euro 2008 after Liverpool winger Ryan Babel was ruled out of the tournament through injury.
The 21-year-old tore ankle ligaments in training this morning and the Dutch Football Association confirmed that Babel will be out for several weeks.
Babel was a major player for Holland during the Euro 2008 qualification campaign, taking part in 11 out of 12 qualifying games. He was expected to take part in the friendly against Wales in Rotterdam tomorrow.
Holland coach Marco Van Basten will be allowed to call up a replacement for Babel once a UEFA medical team confirms that the Liverpool man has suffered the injury.
One piece of good news for Van Basten is that Arsenal forward Robin Van Persie is confident of being fit for Holland's tournament opener against world champions Italy on June 9th.
Van Persie has been carrying a thigh injury since he met up with the national team and though he will not take part in the Wales game, Van Basten revealed he should be fit by next week.
Holland have been placed in the so called 'group of death' alongside European giants Italy and Holland, as well as Romania.