Burić injured and will not play against the Netherlands, Panić doubtful

(Patria) - The Bosnia and Herzegovina handball team completed another training session in Mannheim ahead of tomorrow's match against the Netherlands at the European Championship. Unfortunately, we received bad news. One, and possibly two of the best players will not be available to the selector tomorrow.

Due to an injury, Senjamin Burić will definitely not play, while Marko Panić is doubtful due to a viral infection and did not train tonight.

Assistant coach Damir Doborac spoke about the state of the team ahead of tomorrow's match against the Netherlands.

"A very energy-demanding match for us," Doborac began about the match against Sweden we played last night, then continued about Senjamin Burić:

"Even worse than that is that we have lost Senjamin Burić for these next two matches. After tests today, he received a diagnosis that he must not do anything for the next two to four weeks. We have two more young players in that position whom we trust and hope they will carry it through."

"As for today, we are using every opportunity to recover the players. Panić is not here with us, he caught a virus and we left him at the hotel. We hope he will be ready tomorrow," Doborac pointed out, then continued:

"What we can say at this moment is that tomorrow we are certainly expecting a much more demanding match than last night. I think the Netherlands national team has exceptionally good runners. Our strongest weapon is defense, so they will try to impose their rhythm, but we must be smart and responsible and bring the game down to six on six, i.e., a full zone."

"The goal is not for us to stop the ball and roll around on the field. Simply, I think we need a lot of tactical responsibility, especially in the attack phase, so that at every moment we know what we are doing. So that when we lose the ball or score a goal, the players are ready for defensive transition. Last night we conceded seven or eight goals from those situations. Hasty action, shot, and while we figure out where, who, what and how, they punish it. That awaits us tomorrow and we must be much more responsible," said Doborac.

Bosnia and Herzegovina will play against Georgia in the 3rd round on January 15.

(sportsport.ba)