EHF Euro 2026 Casualties Update: Jørgensen, Remili, and Martinović Headline Summer Handball Returns

The grueling nature of elite handball took a heavy toll during the Men's EHF Euro 2026 in January, leaving several national teams scrambling to fill sudden roster gaps. However, as the European summer begins and clubs prepare for the 2026-27 season, the narrative is decisively shifting from the treatment table back to the court. Across the continent, high-profile casualties from the winter tournament are hitting critical rehabilitation milestones, turning a period of physical crisis into a showcase of modern sports medicine, athletic resilience, and meticulous recovery planning.

No team experienced a more bizarre and devastating string of injuries than Denmark. The Danish squad entered the tournament with a wealth of options at the line player position, boasting six potential pivots ready to anchor their defense and attack. By the time they reached the final against Germany, head coach Nikolaj Jacobsen was left with only Magnus Saugstrup, as five different line players succumbed to various ailments in a matter of weeks. Today, the recovery of that pivot squad is one of the most closely monitored storylines in Scandinavian handball, with fans eager to see their stars return.

The most severe blow of the Danish crisis fell on Lukas Jørgensen. During a preliminary round match against Romania, the 26-year-old Flensburg-Handewitt star suffered a non-contact knee injury that medical imaging quickly confirmed as a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Jørgensen described the diagnosis at the time as "surreal and difficult to absorb," acknowledging the long and grueling road ahead. Now, five months post-operation, Jørgensen is making significant strides in his functional rehabilitation, transitioning from basic mobility work to controlled strength training under the watchful eyes of club physiotherapists.

Jørgensen's recovery timeline aligns with the latest data on ACL reconstructions in elite handball. According to recent sports medicine studies, a high proportion of elite players return to play in an average of 9.6 months, with 75 percent successfully reaching their pre-injury level of competition. By utilizing advanced neuromuscular training and strict adherence to functional milestones rather than arbitrary dates, Flensburg-Handewitt's medical staff is cautiously optimistic that Jørgensen will be available to anchor their lineup for the crucial second half of the Bundesliga season.

The rest of Denmark's battered pivot rotation has already returned to full health, providing a massive sigh of relief for their respective clubs. Simon Hald, who suffered a head blow during the semi-final against Iceland that required hospital evaluation, has been fully cleared and is actively participating in off-season conditioning with Aalborg Håndbold. Similarly, Emil Bergholt has completely recovered from the foot injury he sustained against Norway, ensuring he will be a full participant when Skjern Håndbold opens its rigorous pre-season training camp later this summer.

Beyond the Danish camp, the French national team is celebrating the triumphant return of Nedim Remili. The dynamic playmaker, who was named MVP of the 2024 EHF Euro, was forced to withdraw from the 2026 tournament just days before it began due to an acute calf injury sustained during a routine rehabilitation check-up for a separate thigh issue. The sudden loss forced head coach Guillaume Gille to drastically reorganize his squad on the eve of the tournament, leaving a noticeable void in the French backcourt.[1]

After a carefully managed spring recovery period, Remili is now back to 100 percent physical fitness. His return is a massive boost not only for the French national team's future ambitions but also for his club, Veszprém HC. The Hungarian powerhouse is relying heavily on Remili's elite playmaking abilities as they finalize their tactical preparations for the upcoming EHF Champions League campaign. His clean bill of health removes a major variable from their off-season planning, allowing the coaching staff to build their offensive schemes around his vision.

Veszprém is also welcoming back another key international star who saw his EHF Euro dreams cut short: Ivan Martinović. The 28-year-old Croatian captain and right back suffered a severe ankle injury in the second half of a preliminary clash against Iceland. While initial MRI scans fortunately ruled out catastrophic structural damage, the injury was severe enough to sideline him for the remainder of the tournament and required a prolonged period of immobilization followed by intensive functional therapy.

Martinović's rehabilitation focused heavily on restoring ankle dorsiflexion and proprioception—critical components for a player who relies on explosive jump throws and rapid changes of direction. Sports medicine protocols for elite handball players emphasize that returning from significant ankle sprains requires more than just pain relief; it demands a complete restoration of the joint's mechanical stability to prevent chronic, career-altering instability. Martinović has successfully cleared these rigorous functional tests and is expected to be a full, unrestricted participant in Veszprém's summer friendlies.

The successful recoveries of Jørgensen, Remili, and Martinović underscore a broader shift in how the global handball community manages physical trauma. Organizations like the EHF and specialized clinics such as Aspetar are increasingly emphasizing the importance of general athletic fitness even during the acute injury phase. By keeping players engaged in modified cardiovascular and strength training while their specific injuries heal, medical staffs are actively minimizing the physiological "detraining" effect, allowing athletes to return to peak performance significantly faster once they are cleared for court work.[2]

As the 2026-27 season rapidly approaches, the return of these international stars serves as a powerful reminder of the sport's immense physical demands and the incredible dedication required to meet them. For fans of Flensburg, Aalborg, and Veszprém, the summer injury reports offer a refreshing wave of optimism. The players who left the court in visible pain during the bitter winter are now poised to reclaim their status as some of the most dominant and resilient forces in global handball.