Skrypnyk sidelined for Bremen
Tuesday, March 18, 2003
Article summary
SV Werder Bremen defender Viktor Skrypnyk has been ruled out for four weeks with a groin problem.
Article body
SV Werder Bremen defender Viktor Skrypnyk's hopes of being called up to the Ukraine squad for the UEFA EURO 2004™ game with Spain have been dashed by groin surgery.
Four-week absence
The 33-year-old, who was in the squad for his country's international friendly with Turkey last month, will be out of action for around four weeks, ruling him out of the match on 29 March. Ukraine lie in second place in Group 6, with five points from their three games so far, and face the group leaders, who have a maximum six points from their two matches, in Kiev.
Persistent pains
The player complained of persistent groin pains following Bremen's 1-0 defeat at FC Hansa Rostock in the 1. Bundesliga on Saturday, and team doctors decided to proceed with the surgery after examination. Skrypnyk's absence will come as a big blow to his club, who have taken just four points from eight matches since the Bundesliga resumed after its winter break and are also without Skrypnyk's fellow defender Ludovic Magnin, who is suffering from strained knee ligaments.
