Wolfsburg (dpa) – DFB captain Alexandra Popp counts on good chances of participating in the European Championship with the German footballers despite her long injury break.
“I see it all very optimistically and very positively. I’m already at a very good level and still have a good six months to be 100 percent absolutely fit – ideally before that, of course,” said the 111-time national player a video switch of VfL Wolfsburg. The 30-year-old is about to make a comeback after suffering a serious knee injury.
“Basically, I’m happy to be healthy,” said Popp. The 2016 Olympic champion has not played a game since May 2021 – due to a cartilage tear on the kneecap. She could make her Bundesliga comeback after successful rehabilitation in VfL’s catch-up game on January 29 at Turbine Potsdam.
“We are happy that Poppi is back on the pitch after her serious injury. We have always said she should take her time and not put herself under pressure – that also applies now,” said national coach Martina Voss Tecklenburg of the German Press Agency . “As a player and as a person, she is hugely important to our team on and off the pitch.”
Popp could return to the national team at the Four Nations Tournament in England, but she hasn’t spoken to Voss-Tecklenburg about it yet. The German selection meets Spain on February 17th, Olympic champions Canada on February 20th and the hosts on February 23rd. Spain, Denmark and Finland are also the preliminary round opponents at the European Championships in England in July.
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