Vasilj takes Pletikosa's place

UEFA has announced that the injured Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa is being released from their UEFA EURO 2004™ squad.

Medical examination
The decision was made after a medical examination carried out by a member of the UEFA doping control officers' panel, which confirmed that the thigh injury Pletikosa picked up in training last Wednesday meant he could play no part in the tournament. The withdrawal of the 25-year-old is a huge loss to Croatia, but his replacement, NK Varteks custodian Vladimir Vasilj, is an experienced keeper with an excellent reputation.

Unusual record
Vasilj kept eight clean sheets this season as Varteks finished fifth in the Croatian First League and with this latest call-up, the 29-year-old has the unusual record of having featured in more finals tournaments than actual matches for his country. He has won just one cap since making his debut against Slovenia in 1998, but was a squad player for the last two FIFA World Cups.

Butina to start
Tomislav Butina is expected to start in place of Pletikosa in today's fixture against Switzerland. The 30-year-old Club Brugge KV player, who did not appear in any of his country's qualifying fixtures, said: "This is the third or fourth time this season that I find myself stepping in at the last minute. It is not easy, but I'm not nervous."