Double injury blow for Kielce

KS Vive Targi Kielce will have to make do without two important players on the right side of the court as Denis Buntić and Ivan Čupić have suffered long term injuries.

The current top scorer in the VELUX EHF Champions League, Čupić, will be out for about three months with a shoulder injury.

It was revealed that the injury is more serious than previously expected, and the 26 year-old will have to undergo surgery in Zagreb.

“After the match against Slovenia I felt pain. With each passing day it was getting better, but an examination of the shoulder has shown that surgery is necessary.

“I will ensure that I will be ready to play in three months. I will be able to help my team in May. Getting back to playing is now the most important thing for me,” Čupić was quoted on the club’s official website.

Kielce will be forced to play their remaining three matches in the Group Phase and the Last 16 not only without Čupić, who has scored 49 goals in seven games.

Denis Buntić has joined his fellow Croatian on the injury list after picking up a hand injury.

Examinations revealed he suffered a broken metacarpal bone. The 30 year-old will be out for an estimated 10-12 weeks

“The incident which resulted in the injury to the hand was not related to the club's contract and will be investigated by the club,” the club’s management stated on their official website.

These two injuries have added to Kielce’s injury worries, after another Croatian, Manuel Štrlek, was ruled out for two months after suffering an injury to his right hand at the recent World Championship.

KS Vive Targi Kielce resume their VELUX EHF Champions League campaign on 9 February, with a home game against St. Petersburg. They currently sit top of Group C with a 100% record and have already booked their place in the Last 16.