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Home  » Sports » Arjen Robben fit to face France

Arjen Robben fit to face France

June 12, 2008 18:50 IST
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Dutch winger Arjen Robben has recovered from a groin injury and is fit to face France in their Group C game at Euro 2008, coach Marco van Basten said on Thursday.

The injury-prone midfielder missed the Netherlands' emphatic 3-0 victory over world champions Italy on Monday and had been considered a doubt for Friday's game, also in Berne.

"Arjen joined today's group training without any problem, so he is fit for the match against France," Van Basten told a news conference at the Stade de Suisse.

"We are pleased with the good (work) our medical staff have done."

As for whether he should change a side who had thrashed the World Cup holders, he said: "It is tough if you consider changing a winning team, but it is a luxury problem.

"And I hope to have more problems like that during this tournament."

The Netherlands will qualify for the quarter-finals if they beat a sluggish France side who were held to a goalless draw by Romania on Monday in Zurich.

Van Basten, whose men drew and lost to Romania during Euro 2008 qualifying, was not surprised by France's stalemate.

"It is really tough to play against them as they play with a tight defence and hardly give away any space to create chances," said the Dutch coach.

"France really have to go for a win right now and that places us in a position where we can wait and see how the match develops.

"But for us, it will be difficult to equal Monday's level."

Defender Mario Melchiot and striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar, neither of whom are seen as first-choice players, worked out separately from the rest of the squad during Thursday's training session.

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Source: REUTERS
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