Achilles injury rules out Markussen for EHF EURO 2014

25-year-old Danish left back Nikolaj Markussen will miss the EHF European Championship 2014 on home court in January.

The 2,11 metre-tall player on Monday ruptured the Achilles' tendon in his right foot at the beginning of the Danes’ first training session in the House of Sport in Brondby where the team prepares for this weekend's Golden League Tournament in Oslo (1 to 3 November).

"This is the worst thing that has ever happened in my career," says the former Atletico Madrid star who now plays for El Jaish in Qatar.

The severe injury immediately put an end to the high spirits in which the training camp had begun following Monday morning’s news telling that Denmark and Germany will host the men’s World Championship 2019.

"Now that championship has to be the highlight of my playing years," said Markussen.

Coach Ulrik Wilbek already had to cope with one injured player in his squad as SG Flensburg-Handewitt playmaker, Thomas Mogensen feels, bothered by an injury in one of his thighs.