Germany's Roggisch to miss crucial matches against Czech Republic

Bad news for Germany's head coach Martin Heuberger: Just days before the crucial EHF EURO 2014 qualifiers against Czech Republic on Thursday, 4 April, and Sunday he has to replace his team captain.

Defence specialist Oliver Roggisch is suffering from a rupture of the interior ligament in his knee and will miss the matches with the national team and additionally the tough EHF Cup quarter-finals of his club, Rhein Neckar Löwen, against SC Magdeburg at the end of April.

Roggisch's injury occurred in the Löwen's Bundesliga match against Hannover-Burgdorf at the end of March.

"This injury hits us really hard. First because Oliver is our team captain, and second because he is the most important figure in our defence,” Heuberger was quoted on the website of the German Handball federation.

"And this injury makes it really hard to be successful against the Czech team."

Both Germany and Czech Republic have two points before their direct duels, while their main opponent, Montenegro, already has four points and has the arguably easier task with a double header against Israel ahead.

Roggisch will be replaced by Felix Danner (MT Melsungen).