WARSAW, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Polish midfielder Krystian Bielik will miss UEFA Euro 2020 after he ruptured his cruciate ligament, reported the Przeglad Sportowy newspaper on Wednesday.
Bielik suffered the serious injury during the under-23 friendly match between Charlton Athletic and Tottenham, falling down and grimacing with pain in the 18th minute. Further examinations confirmed his injury which will force him out of action for a few months.
"I talked to the player just after the match and it doesn't look good. The knee was twisted and swollen. There are typical symptoms for rupturing knee ligament. I'm afraid Krystian will be ruled out of Euro 2020, as in that case the rehabilitation takes about 5 months," Poland national team's doctor Jacek Jaroszewski was quoted as saying.
Bielik made his national debut in September's match against Slovenia in the UEFA Euro qualifications, with his performance being applauded by coach Jerzy Brzeczek.
"We counted on him not only for the Euro 2020, but also for the future. When I found out he will be out, I was shocked," admitted Brzeczek's assistant Radoslaw Gilewicz, while the player's father told journalists that his son "is devastated but he will deal with this hard moment because he is mentally strong."
Poland faces Sweden, Spain and a play-off winner in the Euro 2020 group phase.
