Injured Croatia striker Olic to miss Euro 2012

By foxsports
Published

Croatia striker Ivica Olic will miss the European Championship because of a thigh muscle injury and will be replaced by Nikola Kalinic, team officials said Monday.

Team doctors said the former Bayern Munich forward's medical checkups Monday in Germany showed that Olic has a muscle tear and he will not travel with the team to the tournament.

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic called up former Blackburn striker Kalinic as Olic's replacement.

''The muscle hurts,'' Olic said. ''I wouldn't be useful for the team.''

The 32-year-old said he was thinking of retiring from the national team during the Euros, but now thinks he would be available for the World Cup qualifiers ''if needed.''

Olic, who is set to join Wolfsburg, was injured during Croatia's friendly 1-1 draw against Norway at the weekend.

Croatia begins Euro 2012 against Ireland on June 10 in Group C, which also includes defending champion Spain and four-time world champion Italy.