Baric backs Butina to keep out Swiss

Croatia’s deputy goalkeeper Tomislav Butina seems certain to start in Sunday’s Euro 2004 Group B opener against Switzerland with first-choice Stipe Pletikosa likely to be out injured.

The 30-year-old Club Brugge player was put on red alert yesterday as Pletikosa was sent for a scan on a thigh injury amid fears he had torn the muscle.