It was certain back in April when he tore his anterior cruciate ligaments and meniscus in his knee that it would be practically impossible for him to return in time for the European Championship - with just over a month until the EHF Euro, Nebojš Simić confirmed that he would not travel with the "lions" to Oslo.
The goalkeeper of the Montenegrin national handball team announced that after consulting with several doctors, physiotherapists from the club and national team, athletic trainers and others, he made the decision to respect the minimum nine-month period prescribed for the most serious sports injury.
"Unfortunately, I don't see myself anywhere close to playing in 2025, but I also don't see myself throwing myself into the grueling pace of the European Championship without adequate preparation," Simić wrote on social media and revealed when he might be able to step between the posts again:
"All of the above people involved in my recovery from the start are of the same opinion, which is that the earliest possible date I could return is February."
The injury came at a time when Simić was having perhaps his best season in the Bundesliga.
"I dedicated myself to recovery to the fullest, changed my diet, supplementation, and several hours of therapy, and I've never taken a break longer than a weekend. I did everything I could and I'm proud of that," Simić added.
Melzungen will have to do without him for some time, and Montenegro will also be without him, but probably also the other goalkeeper Nikola Matović, who suffered the same injury just ten days before Simić.
"I feel sorry for all the handball fans who want to see me in action, especially the fans of Melzungen and the national team, but I feel sorry for myself the most, because I am missing some very important matches for the club and the national team that I was looking forward to. It is very tiring to watch from the sidelines, but with such serious injuries, there is no joke and I want to put all this behind me in 2026 and come back even stronger. Thank you all for your understanding," Simić concluded.
The European Championship is scheduled from January 15 to February 1, hosted by Denmark, Norway and Sweden, and Montenegro will play against Slovenia, the Faroe Islands and Switzerland in Oslo.
Bonus video:
