Despite persistent personnel problems, national soccer coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg is optimistic about the start of the European Championship year.
“I believe that all the players who are missing now have the opportunity to get healthy and fit again before the European Championships,” said Voss-Tecklenburg at a media round about the upcoming four-nation tournament “Arnold Clark Cup” in England.
In the important position determination before the EURO (July 6th to 31st) she has to do without captain Alexandra Popp (knee), Dzsenifer Marozsan (muscular injury), Marina Hegering (knee) and Melanie Leupolz (Long Covid). The latter will be gradually built up under the strain at her club FC Chelsea: “We’re keeping our fingers crossed for Melly that it’ll be over soon, because of course it’s a sensitive matter.”
Not all national spiders vaccinated – are there problems?
The “sportingly outstanding” tasks against European Championship group opponents Spain (February 17 / 3:30 p.m.), Olympic champions Canada (February 20 / 9:15 p.m.) and hosts England (February 23 / 8:30 p.m.) will be given the Failures don’t get any easier. “These are three top nations that demand everything from us. We’re happy because we really need it five months before the European Championship,” said Voss-Tecklenburg.
The pandemic remains a challenge, especially since the entire squad is not vaccinated. “If that’s the case, it has a medical background,” explained Voss-Tecklenburg. However, it is “theoretically” possible to take players with you without full vaccination protection.
The record European champion meets on Monday in Frankfurt/Main. After a lunch with national coach Hansi Flick and DFB director Oliver Bierhoff on Tuesday, it’s off to England, where games will be played in Middlesbrough, Norwich and Wolverhampton.