Wilhelmsson's hamstring injury proved worse than first feared

Sweden midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson will miss the remainder of Euro 2008 after tearing his left hamstring.

The 28-year-old was substituted in the 78th minute of his country's opening Group D match against Greece.

Wilhelmsson pulled up following a challenge with Giourkas Seitaridis and hobbled away with the upper part of his left leg heavily strapped.

"Christian has torn a hamstring and will be out of the rest of the finals," team doctor Anders Valentin confirmed.

Immediately after the match, Sweden coach Lars Lagerback said: "[Wilhelmsson's] seems like a serious injury.

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"I don't think he'll play against Spain and if it's very bad he won't play against Russia either."

The injury appears to be worse than first feared, however, and even if Sweden progress to the quarter-finals Wilhelmsson, who has scored 14 goals in 50 internationals, will miss out.

The Nantes midfielder's injury took the gloss off Sweden's 2-0 win, which was secured through goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Petter Hansson.

Aside from Wilhelmsson, who cannot be replaced, midfielder Niclas Alexandersson is a doubt for Sweden's next match against Spain in Salzburg on Saturday.

Lagerback's side then play Russia in Innsbruck on 18 June.