Two of the leading team in the conference South, the Novi Sad Dukes and the Vukovi Belgrade, suffered big hits on the European Championships held in Austria this past week, from August 12th to August 18th. As two of the best teams in Serbia, players from both cities played key roles on the Serbian national team that participated in the championships for the European C group.
The team finished fourth out of five teams, but the injuries to several players will make the teams worry more about the future than whether the placing was a success or not.
Of the two teams, it’s debatable who was hit harder – four of Belgrade’s players were hurt, two of which are definitely out for their next game, while Novi Sad lost two, but among those probably the most important one. Quarterback Čaba Juhas injured his right, throwing arm, shoulder in the opener against Austria and missed all the games after that. What was thought be a sprain turned out to be a more serious injury and it is unknown if he will make it back for this season. The Dukes don’t have a primary backup at quarterback, and Juhas will likely be replaced by receiver/tight end Rastko Jokić.
The Dukes will definitely be without receiver Jovan Plećaš, who reinjured his knee. After surgery there won’t be time for him to return this season. Of their most important players on offense, the only one that remains active is tight end Mitar Bajčetić, because their main receiver from last year Ivan Dudaš hasn’t played a down this season, and running back Marko Đanić has been out since the second match this season.
The first of the Vukovi’s players to go on the championships was running back Jovan Golušin, after injuring his neck on the tournament’s opening kickoff. Left guard Branko Mutić had a concussion in the same game, so he, like Golušin, played sparingly the rest of the way. Injuries to linebacker Miloš Todorović and left tackle Petar Vitorović are more serious, as both will miss several weeks. Todorović broke a bone in his left foot during the team’s short training camp, and Vitorović hurt his knee on one play against Norway. He was actually fortunate and should be back in six weeks.
Injuries sustained in Austria come at the worst possible time, because the SELAF season continues for both teams on the first weekend of the second part of the season.
Updated on August 23rd.