Defending champions Netherlands have been unlucky at the European Football Championship so far. After two injury-related failures in the opening game, Jackie Groenen is now out after a positive corona test. There are also corona cases in other teams.
The Sars-CoV-2 infection of the Manchester United midfielder was found on Sunday (July 10th, 2022), the Dutch association announced. Groenen immediately went into isolation and will return as soon as she has tested negative and is symptom-free again.
In any case, the Dutchwoman will probably miss the next group game against Portugal next Wednesday (13.07.2022 / 9 p.m. CEST). Groenen was on the field throughout the 1-1 draw against Sweden on Saturday. The Netherlands were without goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal with a shoulder injury and central defender Aniek Nouwen (foot injury) early on in the game. It is still unclear whether both will be able to play again against Portugal.
Cernoia and Wienroither also tested positive
Corona cases have also been reported by other teams. The Italian Valentina Cernoia will miss at least the Italian opening game against France on Sunday evening after a positive test. On Saturday, the Austrian Laura Wienroither also received a corresponding result. She played through the 1-0 draw against England. The defender will miss Monday’s second group game (6 p.m.) against Northern Ireland. Striker Lisa Kolb had previously failed for the Austrians because of a positive corona test.
Englishwoman Wubben-Moy first case in the tournament
The first corona case of the tournament was already known on Friday. The English defender Lotte Wubben-Moy was affected, who did not play in the hosts’ 1-0 opening win against Austria.
UEFA rules state that a team must play as long as 13 healthy players, including a goalkeeper, are available. If this is not possible, people with Covid-19 may be replaced by players who have been nominated.