Olympic Games - Injured Oberdorf: Hrubesch ready to pray
A MRI scan today in Munich is expected to reveal the extent of football player Lena Oberdorf's injury on her right knee. "I hope and I'm also ready to pray that it's not serious and that we might still get her to the Olympics," said national coach Horst Hrubesch after the 4:0 win against Austria in Hannover.
During the last fitness test before the Summer Games, Oberdorf had to be taken off the field after nearly 70 minutes and required longer treatment. She could only leave the pitch with the help of team staff and could not put weight on her right leg. Defender Kathrin Hendrich reported: "She was screaming in pain." Hrubesch later commented at the press conference: "She has a brace now and can play."
Central figure in the German team
Oberdorf had switched from VfL Wolfsburg to FC Bayern this summer. She was supposed to be brought to Munich today. The 22-year-old midfielder is considered a central figure in the German team and put in a strong performance in the last EM qualification match. The German squad meets in Frankfurt/Main on Saturday and leaves for Marseille on Sunday, where the first group match against Australia takes place on Thursday. Other group opponents are the USA and Sambia.
"She was first treated and Munich was informed," said Hrubesch. "We don't exactly know what it is and I don't want to speculate either." It would be a blow to the team if she missed the Olympics. In the ARD, the 73-year-old said: "I can always see such injuries badly. I always have pain in my face."
- Lena Oberdorf, a crucial player for the German national team, recently joined FC Bayern from VfL Wolfsburg.
- Horst Hrubesch, the national team coach, expressed hope for a lesser injury for Oberdorf, which could potentially allow her to participate in the Olympic Games in Paris.
- The women's soccer team, currently in Hannover for training, secured a 4:0 victory against Austria before Oberdorf's injury.
- During the match, Oberdorf, after nearly 70 minutes, was forced off the field due to an injury on her right knee, requiring extended medical attention.
- The Olympic Games, scheduled to take place in Paris, pose a significant challenge for the German team with the absence of Oberdorf, a key player in their midfield.
- In the last EM-Qualification match, Oberdorf, hailing from Lower Saxony, delivered a robust performance, contributing significantly to the team's success.
- The German squad, consisting of top soccer players like Oberdorf, will gather in Frankfurt/Main on Saturday and depart for Marseille on Sunday to prepare for the upcoming Olympic matches.
- If Oberdorf is unable to recover in time, the absence would represent a significant setback for Germany in their group, which includes opponents such as the USA and Zambia.
