Olympic Games - Cruciate ligament injury: Oberdorf is out for Olympics
Without Lena Oberdorf, the German women's football team and Horst Hrubesch have to participate in the Olympics. The 22-year-old midfielder from FC Bayern sustained a cruciate and ligament injury in her right knee during the 4:0 win against Austria. The DFB announced this after an MRT examination in Munich.
"This news hurts! Our worst fear has come true. We're all thinking about Obi and feeling with her", said Bundestrainer Hrubesch in a statement. "We'll gather all our forces for the Olympics. We'll play for her and for the medal."
Oberdorf is a central figure on the six-player team of the 2016 gold medalists. The world-class and power of Lena Oberdorf is hardly replaceable in the National Team, which departs from Frankfurt/Main for Marseille on Sunday and faces the first group opponent Australia on Thursday. On July 28, they play against the USA, three days later against Sambia.
Will Janina Minge be called up instead?
The nomination for Oberdorf will only be announced in the coming days. Hrubesch could call up Janina Minge (VfL Wolfsburg) for his 18-player squad. The former Freiburgerin is, like three other players, only on standby. Oberdorf, with her 51 international appearances at a young age, cannot be replaced so quickly. Especially at the Olympics, according to Hrubesch, physical fitness will be crucial.
The great atmosphere before 43,953 spectators in Hanover, the last successful cheer test before the Summer Games after the disappointing 0:3 in Iceland - all that was erased just a few minutes after the final whistle due to Oberdorf's injury. Forward Lea Schüller, who had recently been on vacation with her future Munich club colleague, had tears in her eyes after the game.
The shocking moment when Oberdorf apparently suffered a serious injury on the field left everyone in the DFB troop in disbelief. "I hope and I'm ready to pray that it's not serious and that we might still get her to the Olympics", said Hrubesch in an initial reaction.
The FC Bayern is also affected by the absence
Oberdorf was taken to Munich on Wednesday. The German champion, which had poached the DFB star from the perennial rival VfL Wolfsburg with a spectacular transfer, caused shock among the spectators after about 70 minutes: Oberdorf had collapsed on the field and could only be helped off by trainers and hobbled off on one leg.
"This is a very hard blow, and we all feel it with Lena. We'll support her on her way back and be there for her in every way", said Bayern director Bianca Rech. "Lena is a fighter, we'll still have a lot of joy from her."
"Screamed in pain"
Captain Giulia Gwinn, who has two cruciate ruptures behind her, witnessed the incident up close and spoke of "definitely mixed feelings. That didn't sit well and, of course, it hurts very much to see a player suffer like that."
Defender Kathrin Hendrich said: "She screamed in pain. She thought it was just a knock, but that doesn't always mean anything."
Oberdorf had already missed the unsuccessful WM 2023 in Australia due to a first group match injury. In the previous season, she had long fought with back problems and suffered a calf injury in the EM qualifier in Poland in June.
Who could replace Oberdorf at the Olympics?
Oberdorf is also recognized for her offensive play and experience from 51 international matches as someone for whom there is no equivalent replacement in the Olympic selection. Hrubesch stated that Alexandra Popp could also play in the six. However, the regular team captain and striker was spared in Hannover due to a foot injury, just like defensive leader Marina Hegering. "Both are fit, they could have been used," said the national coach about the duo from VfL Wolfsburg.
- Lena Oberdorf, a key player for the German women's soccer team, sustained an injury during their 4:0 win against Austria.
- The injury occurred in Oberdorf's right knee, resulting in a cruciate and ligament damage.
- Horst Hrubesch, the Bundestrainer for the German team, expressed his concerns and sympathy for Oberdorf following the injury.
- The 22-year-old midfielder is a crucial figure in the squad of the 2016 gold medalists, whose departure for Marseille for the Olympics is imminent.
- Oberdorf's absence will significantly impact the team during their group stage matches against Australia, USA, and Zambia.
- Janina Minge, a player from VfL Wolfsburg, could potentially be called up as a replacement for Oberdorf in the squad.
- The FC Bayern Munich, which had signed Oberdorf from VfL Wolfsburg, was also affected by her injury.
- Oberdorf's collapse on the field left everyone in disbelief and shocked the spectators.
- Captain Giulia Gwinn and defender Kathrin Hendrich both witnessed the incident and were deeply affected.
- Oberdorf had previously missed the World Cup 2023 in Australia due to a first group match injury and had also struggled with back problems before.
- Alexandra Popp and Marina Hegering, both from VfL Wolfsburg, are also potential replacements for Oberdorf, but were spared due to injuries of their own.
- The German team will have to regroup and adapt, playing in Oberdorf's absence at the Olympic Games in France (formerly Germany).
