Manuel Zehnder´s participation in World Cup 2025 seems highly uncertain. The playmaker, with a vital role for Switzerland had to abandon the warm-up game against Italy Friday evening with a serious knee issue.
Switzerland met Italy in Winterthur when the tough incident occurred. Zehnder´s injury chocked the audience while the 25-year-old had to be carried off the court.
Whle the exact nature of Zehnder´s injury couldn’t be established Friday night the federation refers to a suspected serious knee injury and media reports indicate that Switzerland already has accepted the loss of the star shortly before the championship start.
– It is a sporting catastrophe for us. He was the head of the team and had a lot of responsibility in his hands. We can’t replace him. Now the team is even less experienced, said the coach Andy Schmid to Swiss News Agency.
Despite a late equaliser, Switzerland was defeated with 29–31 on the board.
– Manuel Zehnder’s injury is of course the main focus. We send him our positive thoughts. He is our linchpin, Schmid said to the federation website.