16.03.2009, 03:24
Injuries torment Viborg

Popovic is not the only injured star of the Danes, but coach Vestergaard is optimistic.

Injuries torment Viborg

Viborg HK are facing an increasing number of injuries at the moment. As Eurohandball.com reported a couple of weeks ago, the team’s Montenegrin star, Bojana Popovic, will be out with a torn knee ligament – the same type of injury has kept German international Nora Reiche away from the court for the entire season.

On top of all, another German international, line player Anja Althaus, picked up a shoulder injury in league match last week and she will not be able to play on Saturday against Hypo Niederösterreich.

Althaus was also missing when Viborg won the Danish derby against Ikast-Brande EH 34-29 on Satuday, just as left winger Gitte Aaen and right back Ida Bjørndalen.

Bjørndalen was “only” ill, not injured, and she will be back for the next game.

In spite of the many injuries, head coach Jakob Vestergaard wants to see the positive side of the situation:

“Of course, we have to move closer together now and fight more for each other. However, having less players than usual sometimes makes things work better. If we want to reach more in the Champions League than the semi-finals, it is important that all players perform in their best form. A bench bit shorter may mean that things turn out better at the end,” Jakob Vestergaard told eurohandball.com.

“I’m still looking forward to the “group final” against Hypo Niederösterreich and I’m sure that it will still be a fantastic game in front of a probably full Viborg Stadionhal. I’m also sure that our team will be in good form for that game,” Jakob Vestergaard added.

TEXT: Peter Bruun