Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen was in good form for the Potters in 2011/12
Stoke City goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen has been ruled out of this summer's European Championship with a back injury.
The 35-year-old Denmark keeper suffered the injury during the Danes' friendly against Brazil on Saturday and has been left out of coach Morten Olsen's 23-man squad.
Sorensen was due to play in his fifth international tournament, having appeared for Denmark at the Euros in 2000 and 2004 and the World Cup in 2002 and 2010.
"It is a heavy decision which I have had to take and a huge disappointment"
- Morten Olsen
His place in the squad has been taken by Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
"Thomas has suffered damage in the back, and it unfortunately provides us with a great risk should we have decided to have taken him with us to Poland and Ukraine," said Olsen.
"It is a heavy decision which I have had to take and it is a huge disappointment for us.
"Thomas is a wonderful person and a fantastic professional who would have benefited us immensely at this tournament.
"Thomas was, of course, disappointed at my decision, but he has an understanding of our situation and my disposition."
On the social networking site Twitter, Sorensen revealed his anguish at missing out on the tournament.
"Devastated to miss the Euros due to injury," he said. "When so much energy and soul has been put into something it's a tough one.
"Best of luck to the team. I will be wearing my viking hat and Denmark scarf next week and hoping like the rest of the country."
Denmark, who won the European Championship in 1992, are in Group B along with Germany, Netherlands and Portugal.
