Russia striker Pavel Pogrebnyak suffered a serious knee injury in their penultimate game before the Euro 2008 Championships, a friendly against Serbia and faces a high probability of missing out on this summer’s football extravaganza.

Pogrebnyak rifled a 11^th minute free kick into the top corner giving Russia the lead, before leaving the field soon after, clutching his knee. Marko Pantellic leveled things up before half time but substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko scored in the 48^th minute to secure a Russian victory in Burghausen, Germany.

Russia coach Guus Hiddink said "He has problems in his meniscus and knee. We'll have to wait and see if he gets better." The Zenit St Petersburg striker had scored 10 goals in his team’s UEFA Cup campaign, but missed out on the final due to suspension.

Russia famously qualified for the tournament at England’s expense and have been rewarded with a spot in Group D consisting of defending champions Greece, as well as European powerhouses Spain and Sweden.