Gronkjaer set to miss Italy clash
PENINA, Portugal -- Chelsea winger Jesper Gronjkaer looks certain to miss Denmark's opening Euro 2004 match with Italy on Monday because his mother is critically ill.
Coach Morten Olsen said he was in regular touch with the 26-year-old midfielder who stayed behind in Denmark to be with his family.
"I think it's better we let him be. He has his own problems at the moment, we are not expecting him straight away," Olsen said before training at the team's hotel near the Algarve coast.
Denmark have left Gronkjaer's place open so he can link up with the squad at any time.
The speedy winger's absence is a blow for a team who expect Monday's game against one of the tournament favourites to be their toughest in Group C. They face perennial rivals Sweden and Bulgaria later in the group stage.
Gronkjaer had been in sharp form at the end of the English season, scoring three goals in successive games for his London side, even though newspapers were speculating Chelsea would sell him in the close season.
"We will miss him, we all hope he will come down but some things are more important than football," said goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.
Olsen said all his squad were fit to train on Thursday. Udinese midfielder Martin Joergensen joined his team mates for the first time in two weeks after recovering from a thigh injury.
