Angela Jankulovska ruled out of European Championship after knee surgery

North Macedonia will head into the upcoming European Championship without one of its most important players after Angela Jankulovska suffered a serious knee injury and underwent surgery, her club confirmed on October 16, 2026.

Operation and recovery timeline

Dunajská Streda reported that Jankulovska was injured during the return leg at home against Salerno in the EHF European Cup and was taken to the orthopedics department of the hospital in Dunajská Streda for surgery.

"Angela Jankulovska, our left-handed player, who suffered a knee injury during the return match at home against Salerno in the EHF European Cup, was successfully operated on in the orthopedics department of the hospital in Dunajská Streda.

During the procedure, reconstruction of the ligament that stabilizes the knee joint was performed. Anji will spend the weekend in hospital, and on Monday she will begin her rehabilitation and the long recovery process.

Unfortunately, after such injuries, return to the court usually takes 7 to 9 months, so we will see Anji again in our team's jersey only next season," the club said.

The absence is a heavy blow for the national squad: Jankulovska has been regarded as one of the key players in coach Igor Markovik's setup and her left-hand scoring and defensive work will be difficult to replace on short notice.

Coaching staff and the Handball Federation will now have to finalise a replacement for the roster, while Jankulovska begins a lengthy rehabilitation programme aimed at returning her to competitive play next season.

Photo: press material from the event