Star German fullback Max Muller out of competitive action for six months

Germany’s star men’s hockey team fullback and captain Max Müller will be out of competitive action for at least six months if not more, as he will undergo an operation on his Achilles tendon in the coming days.

The injury to Muller, who has been a vital cog in the team’s defence over the years, will be a blow of some kind to the Germany team, which is bracing up for the prestigious Four-Nations Hamburg Masters hockey tournament to be held from July 25 to 28.

The 26-year-old talented defender will also miss the 2013 TriFinance EuroHockey Championships slated to be held in Boom, Belgium from August 17-25.

Although the exact time frame of his return to international action cannot be ascertained at this point in time, it is clear that Muller will not don the black and white jersey for the remainder of 2013.

Muller, who made 177 international appearances for Germany, has been a phenomenal figure in international hockey having played key roles in helping the national side to glory in the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The Sports Economics student from Nuremberg is touted as one of the reliable defenders in the game.

Missing the 2013 TriFinance EuroHockey Championships will be a disappointment for Muller given the fact that he captained Germany to triumph at the 2011 European Championships, where they pipped the Netherlands 4-2 in the final.

The timing of Muller’s injury is clearly disturbing for Germany, but they have adequate support in defence to make up for his absence.

The fullback recently skippered Germany to title win at the Hockey World League Round 3 event in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

Muller was voted the Player of the Tournament by members of the media present at the event.

Muller’s absence means the captaincy armband will be handed over to somebody else probably Moritz Fuertse or Christopher Zeller – both experienced campaigners.

On the personal front, Muller is tipped to tie the knot as well.