European Championship Departure: Absence of Lena Oberdorf for German Team
Whipping Up Excitement for the Euros: Germany's Star Player Lena Oberdorf Sidelined
Germany's women's football team is gearing up for the European Championship, but without their star player Lena Oberdorf, who has been recovering from a cruciate ligament injury sustained nearly a year ago. Head coach Christian Wueck confirmed Oberdorf's absence before the team's nomination on June 12, due to the Euros coming too soon in her recovery timeline[1].
Wueck added that the team looks forward to having Oberdorf back in the new season. Although the midfielder herself has yet to comment on her exclusion from the Euros, the team's coach expressed his delight at having her as a player and a personality, and emphasized that she is more than just an asset on the pitch[1].
The decision not to include Oberdorf in the squad was made following an "intensive evaluation of her recent training performances"[1]. The FC Bayern, which had been skeptical about Oberdorf's participation due to her injury, was informed of the decision before the tournament, scheduled from July 2 to 27 in Switzerland[1].
In the lead-up to the squad announcement, the heated discussions about Oberdorf's return were put aside by Wueck, who wished to maintain focus on the team's preparation for the tournament[1]. After sending the national players on vacation, Wueck emphasized that everyone knew whether they had earned a spot on the 23-player squad for the season highlight[1].
All players will convene on June 19 for Euro preparation in Herzogenaurach[1]. Although Oberdorf's absence is a blow, Wueck pointed out that it's not just about Oberdorf, but rather about the team as a whole, as they work towards a successful tournament[1].
In Oberdorf's position in defensive midfield, Elisa Sennß has established herself as a strong contender, even though she differs significantly from the powerful Munich player[1]. Sjoeke Nüsken from FC Chelsea and the formidable Sydney Lohmann, who impressed against Austria, can also slot in the control center[1].
Interestingly, a similar decision was made in 2023 regarding the World Cup in Australia, when Giulia Gwinn was not included in the squad due to her recovery from a cruciate ligament injury[3]. However, in contrast to Oberdorf, Gwinn had already recovered at the time of the World Cup selection[3].
Despite this temporary setback, Oberdorf remains a formidable player with 51 international appearances to her name[2]. At just 17 years, 5 months, and 20 days old, she became the youngest German WM player in 2019 in France[2]. While her Euro 2022 stint was promising, Oberdorf's career may take off again in 2027, during the World Cup in Brazil[2].
After the Olympic exit and the missed Euro 2025, Oberdorf can only hope for more opportunities in the future[2]. She tore her cruciate ligament in the Euro qualification against Austria on July 16, 2022, in Bochum[2].
[1] Source: https://www.dfb.de/nachrichten/146563/erfolgreiche-6-0-gegens-oesterreich-en-trip-im-europapark-ruster?cmpid=app_feed[2] Source: https://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/lena-oberdorf-injury-latest-day-by-day-chronicling-of-the-midfielder-s-tour-from-cruciate-ligament-surgery-to-bayern-munich-debut-1353218[3] Source: https://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/giulia-gwinn-out-of-auroa2552583
The German women's football team, focusing on the European Championship, will be playing without Lena Oberdorf, who is still recovering from a cruciate ligament injury. Despite her absence from the Euros, Oberdorf, with 51 international appearances, remains a formidable player and is expected to make a come back in the new season.
