The Setback for Lena Oberdorf and Germany's Women's Football Squad
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German Coach Wück removes Lena Oberdorf from the Football European Championship squad. - World Cup: Coach Wück has opted to exclude Lena Oberdorf from the tournament team.
It's a tough blow for Bayern Munich's star midfielder, Lena Oberdorf, and the German women's football team as they prepare for the Euro Championship 2025. Following an unfortunate anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear late last year, Oberdorf has been sidelined and won't be a part of the team for the much-anticipated tournament.
Coach Christian Wück confirmed the news, stating, "She's making progress, but the Euro is moving too quickly for her. We want to give her the time she needs to fully recover and prepare for the upcoming season." Wück shared the decision on a day after the German team's impressive 6-0 win against Austria in Vienna.
With the injury sustained a year ago, Oberdorf hasn't seen action since. Despite being a part of the squad for the Nations League matches against Austria and the Netherlands, she only sat on the bench, as anticipated.
The Euro 2025 Snub
The decision not to include Oberdorf was made prior to the tournament, which will be held in Switzerland from July 2 to 27, after an "intensive evaluation of her training sessions." FC Bayern, who had reservations about her potential participation in the tournament from the start, was duly informed. Since her transfer from VfL Wolfsburg to Munich, Oberdorf has been eagerly waiting for her debut for the Bayern.
Coach Wück expressed his excitement about Oberdorf's return to the team, saying, "She's not just a great player, but a valuable asset to us both on and off the pitch." As for Oberdorf, she has yet to comment on the matter.
Players Brace for Euro Preparation
After a series of debates regarding Oberdorf's possible comeback, Wück showed no interest in the topic overshadowing the squad announcement in Europapark Rust. With the tournament fast approaching, Wück gave his national players clear instructions before they headed off for their vacations — each one knowing whether they're part of the 23-player squad for the season highlight.
Regarding Oberdorf's absence in the defensive midfield, Elisa Sesselmann from Frankfurt has filled the void. Though Sesselmann's playing style is distinct from Oberdorf's, players like Sjoeke Nüsken (FC Chelsea) and Sydney Lohmann (Bayern Munich) can also adapt to various positions in the control center.
A similar scenario occurred in 2023 when Giulia Gwinn was not selected for the World Cup in Australia due to a knee injury. However, at that time, Gwinn was already on the road to recovery.
Oberdorf, at 23, boasts 51 caps for the German national team. In 2019 in France, she became the youngest German player at age 17 years, 5 months, and 20 days. At the Euro 2022 in England, she had solidified a regular starting spot.
Unfortunately, Oberdorf's career took a painful turn when she tore her ACL during the Euro qualification match against Austria on July 16 in Bochum. Following the Olympic exit and this missed Euro participation, Oberdorf can only hope for another big tournament in 2027 when the World Cup is scheduled in Brazil.
Lena Oberdorf | Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear | National Coach | UEFA European Football Championship | Switzerland
- Despite her eagerness to debut for Bayern Munich, Lena Oberdorf will not be able to participate in the upcoming UEFA European Football Championship 2025 due to her ongoing recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament tear.
- As Lena Oberdorf recovers from her injury, her absence from the German women's football team will likely be felt acutely in the sports arena, particularly in the European leagues and the Premier League.
