Sigurdsson setback for Iceland

Iceland will be without Larus Sigurdsson for their decisive final UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifier against Germany on 11 October.

Knee injury
The 30-year-old defender sustained a knee injury in English first division side West Bromwich Albion FC's match with Crystal Palace FC last weekend. Although it was initially thought he would be out of action for three to four weeks, an exploratory operation on the damaged cartilage revealed that the injury was more serious than first though, meaning Sigurdsson will be sidelined for around four months.

'These things happen'
Sigurdsson  was philosophical about the injury. "Such things can happen in sport," he said. "I will undergo more surgery in two weeks' time, when they will fill the holes in my knee, and then rehabilitation. I know the drill for the next few weeks because I twisted the same part of the same knee few years ago, but this injury is not as serious. Now there is nothing else for me to do but support the team against Germany."

Significant absentees
The injury comes as a further blow to national team coaches Asgeir Sigurvinsson and Logi Olafsson, who are already without midfield player Johannes Karl Gudjónsson through suspension, while striker Heidar Helguson is a major doubt with a knee ligament injury.

All to play for
Iceland currently lie in second place in Group 5, two points behind leaders Germany, with whom they drew 0-0 in Reykjavik in early September and now face the reverse fixture in Hamburg. A win would mean Iceland finished top of the section, although they could conceivably miss out on a play-off place with third-placed Scotland two points behind. Berti Vogts's side face Lithuania at home the same night.