Streller blow for Switzerland
Thursday, May 27, 2010
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Switzerland striker Marco Streller has torn a muscle in his left thigh and will miss the FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa, with 1. FC Nürnberg striker Albert Bunjaku taking his place.
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Switzerland striker Marco Streller has torn a muscle in his left thigh in training for the national side and will miss the FIFA World Cup.
The injury to the 28-year-old, who has scored 11 times in 32 appearances for Switzerland, comes as a major blow to coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, who has lost one of his most influential players a fortnight before the tournament begins.
Twenty-six-year-old 1. FC Nürnberg striker Albert Bunjaku has been named as the replacement for Streller, who top-scored with 21 goals during FC Basel 1893's Swiss title-winning campaign.
Bunjaku has been capped twice and made his international debut in a friendly against Norway last November. Switzerland kick off against European champions Spain on 16 June and also face Chile and Honduras in Group H.
