A shoulder injury has been cited as the reason why Britta Steffen (GER), the world 100m freestyle record holder will not defend her European 50 and 100m crowns at the European Championships in Eindhoven next month.

The decision comes as little surprise: Germany is sending a very modest team to Eindhoven and had no intention of defending the world-record breaking titles lifted in Budapest in 2006. Annika Lurz (nee Liebs) is also among those who will skip Eindhoven.

Only 10 German swimmers will race at the Euro l/c event, which starts on March 13, while a small team comprised mostly of developing talent will race at a World s/c Championships in Manchester (April 9 - 13), the entry list for which has more holes in it than a Swiss cheese. Again, no surprise there - it's Olympic year.

The Germany team for Eindhoven: Paul Biedermann (SV Halle/Saale), Helge Meeuw (SG Frankfurt), Johannes Neumann (SC Riesa), Benjamin Starke (SG Neukölln), Jens Thiele (SV Eidelstedt Hamburg). - Franziska Hentke (SV Halle/Saale), Janine Pietsch (SC Delphin Ingolstadt), Janne Schä- fer (TV Jahn Wolfsburg), Birte Steven (AMTV/FTV Hamburg), Kerstin Vogel (SV Rhena- nia Köln).

The Germany team for Manchester: Thomas Rupprath (SC Empor Rostock 2000), Johannes Dietrich (OSC Potsdam), Mar- kus Deibler (TG Biberach), Marco Koch (DSW 12 Darmstadt), Clemens Rapp (TSV Bad Saulgau). ? Lena Celina Hiller (Wfr. 98 Hannover), Franziska Jansen (SV Hellas Brühl), Lisa Vitting (SG Mülheim/Ruhr), Christin Zenner (VfV Hildesheim).