As of: January 22, 2024, 12:28 p.m
By: Melanie Gottschalk
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Shock moment at the European Handball Championships!
Netherlands professional Samir Benghanem had to leave the field in great pain.
The examination brought the bitter diagnosis.
Update from Wednesday, January 17th, 7:16 a.m.:
On Monday evening, Netherlands professional Samir Benghanem was carried off the field in severe pain, and the bitter diagnosis has now been made.
As the Dutch Handball Association announced on its homepage, the pivot suffered a torn cruciate ligament in his left knee.
The serious injury had already been suspected, fans and the team reacted with dismay.
National coach Staffan Olsson has nominated Martijn Kleijkers for the rest of the European Handball Championships for Benghanem.
First report from Tuesday, January 16th, 12:58 p.m.:
Mannheim – Samir Benghanem remained on the ground, screaming in pain and holding his left knee.
It became quiet in the SAP Arena in Mannheim, the fans and his teammates were visibly shocked.
These terrible scenes took place at the 2024 European Handball Championship in the last preliminary round game between the Netherlands and defending champion Sweden.
Circular Benghanem appears to be seriously injured at the European Handball Championships
It was the 42nd minute when Benghanem secured a rebound from Sweden keeper Tobias Thulin - even though he was under pressure from an opponent.
When he landed, however, his left knee buckled outward, immediately sank to the ground and remained lying there.
A supervisor ran onto the field, and a short time later paramedics were with the 1.95 meter tall Dutch runner.
Benghanem's teammates covered their faces with their hands, some even had tears in their eyes.
It was a similar story for the numerous Dutch fans who found their way to the SAP Arena that evening.
Many people had shock written all over their faces.
The immediate reaction of the team, the player himself and the fans directly pointed to a more serious injury.
After a short treatment, the cyclist was taken from the field on a stretcher where he was to be examined further.
Netherlands professional Samir Benghanem is put on a stretcher in severe pain.
A serious injury cannot be ruled out.
© Ludvig Thunman/imago
Benghanem before the European Championship exit?
Diagnosis is still pending
It is not yet clear how bad the injury ultimately is and whether it will mean the end of the European Championships for the Dutchman.
He apparently refused to go straight to a hospital for further examinations, because shortly after his accident he ran - supported by two carers - towards the Dutch bank and sat down there with a thick ice pack on his left knee.
For the Dutch and the Swedes it was still about winning the group that evening, which is why both teams put everything into it again.
Although both had already qualified for the main round after their victories against group opponents Georgia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, taking points still played a role.
In a fast-paced game, the Dutch ultimately had to admit defeat to the Swedes by a narrow margin of 28:29.
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Benghanem, who had previously performed well, could only watch this narrow defeat from the sidelines.
Until the official diagnosis is made, there is still a small hope that the injury is not serious, even if it initially looked different.
However, Sweden and the Netherlands will not meet Germany in the main round yet, as coach Alfred Gislason's team is in the other main round group.
(msb)