Babel and Payer out of Euro 2008

Another day, and more heartbreak for players that earned their way into Euro 2008, then lost their place because of injury. This time, it’s Netherlands and Liverpool winger/striker Ryan Babel and Austrian keeper Helge Payer. Babel apparently has suffered an ankle injury which will sideline him for weeks, at least. Payer is a more unusual case, as he has been taken out by partially blocked veins in his stomach, leading to extreme gastrointestinal problems.

Heartbreak, of course, for both men, but in Payer’s case, also a serious internal injury, so best wishes especially to him.

For Babel and Holland, it’s more a case of severe disappointment than anything else. Babel’s pace and crafty moves would have served the Oranje well, both feeding the potent Dutch strike force and going at goal himself. The following video was made when he first came to Liverpool, so it’s all Holland and Ajax. This is what Oranje fans will be missing in Group C.