Today at Euro 2008: Boulahrouz stays on despite tragic event

(GETTY IMAGES)

The Chelsea defender Khalid Boulahrouz will remain with the Dutch Euro 2008 squad despite a family tragedy, the coach, Marco van Basten, said yesterday.

Boulahrouz's wife was taken to hospital this week with pregnancy complications and the couple's prematurely-born daughter later died. "I understand it is very difficult for Khalid and we will all try to support him however we can," Van Basten said, adding that the defender had the freedom to leave the team's hotel whenever he wanted.

Player to watch Darijo Srna

As with many Croatian players the Shakhtar Donetsk winger's early years were affected by the Balkan Wars of the 1990s. Though a Catholic he hails from a Bosnian-Muslim background which threatened his initial progress at Hadjuk Split, but his ability won out and, by the age of 20, he was an international.

Srna was among the players dropped by Slaven Bilic in qualifying for breaking a curfew, but he was swiftly recalled and has played a key role at Euro 2008. He dedicates his goals to his brother, Igor, who has Down's Syndrome. Has 16 international goals, and Croatia are unbeaten when he scores.

Quote of the day

"Now, Dutch, you tremble!"

The Russian newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta after Russia's 2-0 win over Sweden on Wednesday. Guus Hiddink's side meet the Netherlands in tomorrow's quarter-final in Basle

Euro 2008 fixtures and television

Today: Quarter-final 2: Croatia v Turkey (7.45) (Vienna) BBC 1.

Tomorrow: Quarter-final 3: Netherlands v Russia (7.45) (Basle) ITV 1.

Sun 22 June: Quarter-final 4: Spain v Italy (7.45) (Vienna) BBC 1.

Wed 25 June: Semi-final: Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 2 (7.45) (Basle) BBC 1/ITV 1.

Thurs 26 June: Semi-final: Winner QF 3 v Winner QF 4 (7.45) (Vienna) BBC 1/ITV 1.

Sun 29 June: Final (7.45) (Vienna) BBC 1.