Lena Oberdorf's Absence from the Euros
European Championship Departure: Absence of Lena Oberdorf in German Squad
German Female Footballers Brace for the European Championship
Let's talk about the German women's football team and their preparations for the upcoming Euros, sans Bayern Munich star, Lena Oberdorf. The 23-year-old has been out of action since tearing her cruciate ligament almost a year ago, and head coach Christian Wueck confirmed her absence from the squad ahead of the scheduled announcement on June 12.
Wueck: "Recovery Takes Priority"
In a statement, Wueck stated that while Oberdorf is making significant progress in her recovery, the Euros are happening too soon for her to join the team. Wueck stressed the importance of giving her ample time to fully prepare for the new season.
Intensive Evaluation
Despite being in the squad for the Nations League matches against Austria and the Netherlands, Oberdorf was relegated to the sidelines for the tournament, with the team deciding on her participation before the competition started. The decision was based on an "intensive evaluation of training impressions over the past few days."
Back on the Team, Off the Field
Coach Wueck expressed his joy at having Oberdorf as part of the team, not only on the field but also as a valuable team personality. However, Oberdorf has yet to comment on the matter.
Pre-Euros Preparations
With the Euros coming up, all the players will be gathering in Herzogenaurach on June 19 to get ready for the competition. Wueck had previously stated that it's not just about Oberdorf; it's about the team as a whole.
Sesselmann Steps Up
In Oberdorf's absence, Elisa Sesselmann has proven herself as a capable replacement in the defensive midfield, despite their differences in playstyle. Other players like Sjoeke Nüsken from FC Chelsea and Sydney Lohmann, who shone against Austria, can also fill in the central midfield.
Gwinn's Similar Absence
Similar to Oberdorf, Giulia Gwinn was not selected for the 2023 World Cup in Australia due to her own injury. However, she had already recovered from her recovery from her second cruciate ligament tear at the time.
Oberdorf's Road to Recovery
Oberdorf, at 23, has already racked up 51 international appearances. In 2019, she became the youngest German player at the World Cup in France at the tender age of 17 years, 5 months, and 20 days. Despite securing a regular spot in the starting lineup at the 2022 Euros in England, she had to sit out both the Olympics and the Euros due to her injury.
The Bayern player tore her cruciate ligament against Austria in the Euro qualifiers on July 16 in Bochum. With the Olympics out of the picture and her recovery still ongoing, Oberdorf will have to wait until the 2027 World Cup in Brazil for her next shot at a major tournament.
The German women's football team, preparing for the European Championship, will be without Lena Oberdorf, who is recovering from a torn cruciate ligament. In the meantime, Elisa Sesselmann has shown her versatility in the defensive midfield, filling in the void left by Oberdorf.
