Söder injury blow hits Sweden
Sunday, June 28, 2009
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Sweden midfielder Robin Söder faces up to nine months out after suffering a cruciate ligament injury to his left knee in the semi-final defeat by England having played a key role in his side's fightback.
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Sweden midfielder Robin Söder faces between six and nine months on the sidelines after suffering a cruciate ligament injury to his left knee during the semi-final defeat on penalties by England – ending the IFK Göteborg player's Allsvenskan season.
Youngest player
Söder, the youngest player at the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, came on for the first time in the tournament as a second-half substitute against England at his home ground, Gamla Ullevi in Gothenburg. The 18-year-old made a telling contribution in Sweden's remarkable comeback from 3-0 down, back-heeling the ball to Marcus Berg to fire in the 81st-minute equaliser.
'Complicated injury'
In the first half of extra time, though, the teenager twisted his left knee, staying on the pitch because Sweden had made all their substitutions. On Saturday a scan confirmed the extent of the damage. "He has suffered a complicated injury to the cruciate ligament in his left knee which requires longer than usual to heal," IFK doctor Jon Karlsson told the club's website. "We will start work on his rehabilitation immediately, but we don't know exactly when he'll go for surgery."