Skipper Vlaar ruled out of final

Captain Ron Vlaar will miss the Netherlands' UEFA European Under-21 Championship final against Serbia after straining a ligament in his left knee.

Vlaar injury
The Feyenoord central defender limped off 66 minutes into Wednesday's semi-final success against England, and though a subsequent scan did not reveal serious damage, he will sit out the tournament climax in Groningen on Saturday night. "Yesterday I could not accept that my championship was over, but when I woke up this morning I could hardly walk," Vlaar explained.

Able deputy
Arnold Kruiswijk of FC Groningen, who came on for Vlaar against England, is likely to form the centre-back pairing with Ryan Donk this weekend, and the skipper hopes he will prove to be an able deputy once more. "Obviously it is very disappointing I cannot play in the final, but Arnold Kruiswijk did a good job replacing me and he can easily fill at centre-half," the 22-year-old said

Pieters fit
The captain's armband could be handed to AFC Ajax defensive midfielder Hedwiges Maduro, who took on the leading role in the semi-final following Vlaar's departure. Left-back Erik Pieters was also substituted with an injury against England, but he and playmaker Otman Bakkal should both be passed fit. "This morning the pain was already completely gone," said coach Foppe de Haan of Pieters.