Chance for Pedretti and Exteberria
Monday, November 18, 2002
Article summary
Injuries within the French and Spanish squads have presented unexpected opportunities to players.
Article body
France and Spain have had to think again about their international squads for Wednesday's friendlies after injuries to key players.
Pedretti in
France have given a first call-up to talented FC Sochaux-Montbéliard midfield player Benoît Pedretti as cover for the doubtful Patrick Vieria. Following the withdrawal of Joaquín, Spain have called on Athletic Club Bilbao's Joseba Exteberria, a vastly-experienced international who had been out of favour at this level.
Santini concerned
Pedretti, 22, has been given the chance for the match against Yugoslavia because of coach Jacques Santini's concerns over Arsenal FC captain Patrick Viera. A product of the Sochaux youth system, Pedretti helped the team to promotion in 2001/02 and has continued to impress in the top flight.
No stranger
Exteberria is no stranger to international football. The 25-year-old has won 36 caps for his country, but has not played for Spain since September 2001 when he was part of the side that beat Liechtenstein 2-0 in a FIFA World Cup qualifier. Real Betis Balompié player Joaquín has been told to rest his right leg after picking up a knock and will definitely not play against Bulgaria.
Israeli woes
Elsewhere, Israel coach Avraham Grant took a depleted squad to Skopje for the match against F.Y.R. Macedonia. He is without Maccabi Haifa FC duo Walid Badier and Yaniv Katan, while Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC's Pini Balili, Shimon Gershon and Assi Domb are also missing. The injuries have given a chance to the likes of Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC's Avi Strul, and Maccabi Petach-Tikva FC's 19-year-old central midfielder Gal Alberman.
Crowe chance
Finally, Republic of Ireland stand-in manager Don Givens has revealed that Bohemians FC striker Glen Crowe will become the first Ireland-based player to represent his country at senior level for 14 years on Wednesday when he plays in the friendly against Greece in Athens. The 24-year-old Dublin-born Crowe will follow Pat Byrne who won the last of his eight caps in a 3-1 victory against Czechoslovakia in May 1986 as a Shamrock Rovers FC player.
