Rok Ovniček suffers a severe knee injury
Slovenian national team playmaker Rok Ovniček, after a successful return to the court, has once again sustained a serious knee injury. In the match against Egypt, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament and damaged his meniscus.
The Slovenian national team, competing at the World Championship held in Croatia, Norway, and Denmark, has lost its second player in just two days. On Wednesday, an Argentinian opponent caused Nejc Cehte to suffer three broken ribs with a dangerous tackle, and on Friday, during the first half of the match against Egypt, Ovniček collapsed on the court.
The unfortunate event occurred late in the 16th minute of the game during the second stage of the tournament. At that moment, the playmaker made a penetrating move, but as he changed direction—with no other players nearby—his knee gave out.
Ovniček, who plays for French club Nantes, first injured his right knee during the final preparations for last year’s European Championship. After surgery and a long rehabilitation, he returned to the court at the end of October and was steadily working on a full comeback. Unfortunately, this new injury will again keep him off the court for several months.
PHOTO: Slavko Kolar
