"Unfortunately, the worst fears have come true," the Slovenian federation announced via Instagram on Wednesday. Aleks Vlah, who injured his thigh muscle in Tuesday's warm-up match against Kuwait (36-23), will not be able to help his team at the upcoming European Championship.
Former Bundesliga player Borut Mackovsek will instead fulfill his promise to help the national team when he is urgently needed. Mackovsek had initially declined to take part in the final tournament as he needed to rest his body following a packed schedule but he will now join Uros Zorman's squad.
Zorman will have to do without several players due to injuries. Even before the Kuwait match, Nejc Cehte, Blaz Blagotinsek, Miha Zarabec, Matic Groselj, Tadej Kljun, Mitja Janc, and Jaka Malus had withdrawn from the European Championships. Furthermore, other players, including Flensburg's Domen Novak, are carrying knocks going into the tournament.