 Šulc ruled out of second leg against Kielce
Pick Szeged‘s František Šulc is ruled out of action for at least three weeks with torn calf muscle injury that he suffered during last weekend's win against Kielce in the first leg of the VELUX EHF Champions League Last 16.
The Slovakian international and third best scorer of the competition‘s Group Phase with 62 goals will miss the return leg on Sunday in Kielce as well as two crucial matches against Latvia that awaits Slovakia in the EHF EURO 2014 qualification.
“I am not really sure what happened. I made a shot, and suddenly felt pain in my calf. Examinations showed I have torn my calf.
“Unfortunately I will not be available for Szeged and the national team for the next three weeks.
“Doctors in Szeged and people from the club want me to be ready in four weeks for the Hungarian Cup final.”
Szeged gained a one goal advantage at home on Sunday with a 26:25 win with Šulc scoring twice.
Šulc, however, believes that if his team mates show their best form, they will stand a chance against the favourites from Poland on Sunday 24 March.
“We can only surprise in Kielce. It is already a small miracle that we have won the first leg at home.
They have at least two world class players in each position, a much wider roster than us.
“However, the quality gap is not that huge and anything can happen. Each match starts from 0:0.
“It will be hard for the guys, but it would be the same even with me playing. If we play well in defence and our goalkeepers can add up to that performance, we certainly have chance to go through.
“The team will give everything, guys will fight for every ball. It is a pity I cannot play, in what can be, the most important match of the season for our club.”
His absence is a big blow for Slovakian national team as well. Coach Peter David will miss another key player in two, must win, matches of the EHF EURO 2014 qualifying campaign against Latvia.
“I am very disappointed to miss another national team match. Coach Peter David is very unfortunate to miss key players at every national team gathering.
“There was not a single camp, where we all met. Peter Kukučka got injured few days ago, Daniel Valo had problems in the past and I missed several camps in the past due to minor injuries as well.
“We are very unlucky not to play in full strength. However, I am sure Slovakia will win both games against Latvia and gain four important points.”
TEXT: Tomáš Čunčík / cor
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