Missing: The Euro Absentee XI

Euro 2004 will see most of Europe’s best in action — but they will also be missing some of the continent’s finest players for...

Euro 2004 will see most of Europe’s best in action — but they will also be missing some of the continent’s finest players for various reasons. Here’s a guide to the Missing XI

RUSTU RECBER
(Turkey)

Barcelona’s Recber helped Turkey to a surprise place in the last four at the 2002 World Cup, conceding four goals in six matches. The Turks were expected to cruise into Euro 2004 but were dumped out by surprise package Latvia

CHRISTOPH METZELDER
(Germany)

Borussia Dortmund defender was one of the revelations of the 2002 World Cup, ruled out with an Achilles injury

RIO FERDINAND
(England)

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Manchester United’s Ferdinand, the most expensive defender in English football, is serving an eight-month ban after famously missing a dope test last September and will have to sit out for a while now

GAIZKA MENDIETA
(Spain)

Blond bomber has never been the same since leaving Valencia three seasons ago. No surprise, then, that he’s missing

VIKTOR ONOPKO
(Russia)

The national captain was a late withdrawal with a knee injury

JOSE ANTONIO REYES
(Spain)

Despite impressive performances for the national team and for Arsenal since his move to England, the former Sevilla forward is seen as one for the future, not the present, by coach Inaki Saez.

RYAN GIGGS
(Wales)

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The mercurial winger’s bad luck with international tournaments continues. Like Man U predecessor George Best, has never played in World Cup or Euro 2004

SEBASTIAN DEISLER
(Germany)

Bayern’s Deisler, one of the most gifted and creative players in Germany, was absent for over six months while recovering from depression and made his return to Bundesliga action late in the season. Deemed unfit for Euro

ANDRIJ SHEVCHENKO
(Ukraine)

Arguably the player of the season in Serie A with champions AC Milan, Shevchenko will stay at home because Ukraine failed to qualify

DJIBRIL CISSE
(France)

Like Rio, out due to suspension. Was suspended for five matches, reduced to four on appeal in April, for violent conduct during an under-21 international

FILIPPO INZAGHI
(Italy)

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Deemed not fit enough after his recent injury for coach Giovanni Trapattoni to risk, the free-scoring striker will have to miss the action

— (Reuters)

Police personnel seen to control the situation during a massive protest over the statehood demand and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, in Leh on Wednesday. (ANI Video Grab)

Statehood protest takes violent turn in Ladakh, BJP office set ablaze in Leh

India8 hr ago

Protests in Ladakh turned violent as students and youth organisations demanded statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Two elderly protesters fainted, prompting a shutdown call. A BJP office and security vehicle were set on fire. Activist Sonam Wangchuk urged for a peaceful approach. The demand for Sixth Schedule status is due to Ladakh's tribal-majority population and direct central administration.

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