Swiss confirm Frei absence
08 Jun 2008 - 20:22:59
Switzerland have confirmed that star striker and captain Alexander Frei will miss the rest of Euro 2008 after suffering a knee injury in the opening game of the tournament against the Czech Republic.
The 28-year-old damaged the ligaments in his left knee just before half-time of the 1-0 defeat in Basle and faces around two months out of action.
Swiss team doctor Cuno Wetzel confirmed: "Alex Frei knew immediately that he had been hurt badly.
"He has partially ruptured a ligament in his left knee and will be out for around six weeks."
Coach Kubi Kuhn admitted that the loss of Frei was a massive blow, but urged his players to focus on the remaining two Group A games.
He added: "Of course it hurts for us to lose our captain and one of our most important players, our goal-getter.
"But I have already told the team that the looking back is over. It doesn't help us to look back. We have to look ahead to our next match which we will just have to win without Alex.
"He will stay here with the team and receive therapy from our doctors. He wanted to stay with us. He is a leader and remains a leader even in his current situation."