Euro 2024: Czech player forced to miss tournament after falling off bike in freak injury
- Michal Sadilek, who plays for Dutch side FC Twente, recently captained his country in friendly win against Malta
Czech Republic midfielder Michal Sadilek has been ruled out of Euro 2024 after he fell off his bike and injured his leg.
The 25-year-old, who plays for Dutch side FC Twente, captained his country in a recent friendly victory Malta.
However, he will not be part of the travelling squad to Germany after picking up a freak injury.
A statement posted from the Czech national team read: “The players who played more than half a half in Friday’s friendly against Malta had an individual programme on Saturday.
“Sadly, Michal Sadilek unfortunately fell while riding his bike and suffered a laceration in the leg area.”
Czech Republic coach Ivan Hasek said the news was a huge disappointment for his side.
“This is a big setback for us, because Michal is one of our experienced players,” he said. “It was not without reason that he wore the captain’s armband during the match against Malta.”
Sadilek has 16 caps for his country and scored one goal since making his international debut in 2021.
Though rarely among the favourites, Czech Republic have a storied history in his competition.
Before dissolution of Czechoslovakia, they won the tournament in 1976, clinching the trophy in a penalty shoot with Antonin Panenka’s famous chip which has been imitated by football greats ever since.
Following the split, Czech Republic unexpectedly reached the final in 1996 and again shone eight years later where they lost out to Greece in the semi-finals.
