29.01.2009, 11:23
Injured Ege will miss CL start

The Croatian Matosevic will have to replace the Norwegian top goalkeeper.

Injured Ege will miss CL start

Danish champion FCK Håndbold will have a big handicap in the main round of the EHF Champions League. FCK will start Group 1 without a point after losing twice against HSV Hamburg in the group phase. The worst news is that their first-choice goalkeeper, Steinar Ege, will be out for six to 10 weeks.

The 36-year old Norwegian national team keeper picked up a knee injury at the last game of Norway at the World Championship in Croatia. In the middle of the second half against Poland (Norway lost 31-30 and failed to qualify for the semi-finals), Ege accidently was injured on his knee while making a save.

After the match the doctors diagnosed an inner ligament injury, which means that the experienced keeper may expect a break between six and 10 weeks – depending on the grade of the injury.

“The inner knee ligament is torn, while a later MR scan will have to show if there are further damages to the knee,” Thomas Torgalsen, doctor of the Norwegian national team, told Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten.

Missing important matches

FCK will be missing Ege in a number of important matches in the Danish league where the team is currently trying to keep the pace with Bjerringbro/Silkeborg and AaB Håndbold. Kolding, Viborg and Skjern are behind FCK now. Ege will also be missing from the Champions League games.

After losing two games against HSV Hamburg in the group phase, FCK are under pressure in Group 1. The main round will begin on 14 February with a home match against the Russian champion Chehovskie Medvedi. The Spanish Portland San Antonio are also in this group.

Though Steinar Ege is key player of FCK, coach Magnus Andersson will not be totally lost. The 38-year old former Croatian national goalkeeper, Valter Matosevic, has a lot of experience for this level and there is also the Danish Stephen Nielsen in the squad.

TEXT: Peter Bruun