“Lions” at the European Championship Without Their Top Two Goalkeepers: Matović Sustains Ligament Injury, Simić Awaiting MRI Results
Nebojša Simić, Photo: Boris Pejović
With more than eight months remaining until the European Handball Championship, Montenegro likely faces participation without its two primary goalkeepers.
Nebojša Simić suffered a knee injury this past weekend, with a ligament tear suspected, while Nikola Matović, Simić’s teammate, also sustained a serious injury about ten days ago.
The outcome of Simić’s injury should be confirmed tomorrow with an MRI, while Matović’s long recovery period is already confirmed…
It appears unlikely that Matović will recover in time for the European Championship, and Simić’s chances look equally grim if the concerning news from Melsungen is accurate.
While some athletes have successfully recovered from similar injuries, it seems more realistic that coach Didije Dinar will need to explore alternative goalkeeping options.
Since taking the helm of Montenegro, the legendary French coach has called Haris Suljević to training, and there are discussions about bringing back veteran Mile Mijušković, who currently defends for the Azerbaijani team Kur at 40 years old.
Dinar’s plans will become clearer when he announces the roster for the upcoming Euro qualifiers and the matches against Finland in Vantaa on May 8th and Slovakia three days later in Bar.
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