SPORTS/OLYMPICS> Off the Field
Basel pitch to be replaced before quarter-finals
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-06-16 11:35

BASEL - Euro 2008 organisers said on Sunday they would take the unusual step of replacing the pitch at Basel's St Jakob Park midway through the tournament.

The pitch, which was badly damaged by a torrential 30-minute downpour in Wednesday's Group A match between Switzerland and Turkey, is due to stage two quarter-finals and a semi-final.

"The existing pitch will be removed overnight Sunday and a new pitch, brought in from the Netherlands in 26 trucks, will be laid as from Monday," UEFA said in a statement.

It added that the new pitch would be ready for Thursday's first quarter-final between Portugal and the Group B runners-up.