28 players were in the provisional squad of the German women’s national soccer team for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, but only 23 are actually allowed to play. After Paulina Krumbiegel from TSG Hoffenheim had to bury her dream of a World Cup due to muscular problems, bad luck with injuries struck again the day before the deadline for nominating the final 23 squad: Carolin Simon was injured in the last friendly against Zambia so heavy that it had to be replaced. A day later, the worst fears were confirmed: Simon, left-back at FC Bayern Munich, suffered a cruciate ligament rupture and will be out of the tournament.
“The message from Carolin Simon hits us all,” said national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg. “She had an excellent development, showed great performances and more than earned her place in the World Cup. We have to accept the situation now.”
Linder, Sellner and Mahmutovic not at the World Cup
In addition to Simon, Voss-Tecklenburg also eliminated Sarai Linder, Vice European Champion Tabea Sellner and Ena Mahmutovic from their World Cup squad. Melanie Leupolz from Chelsea, who will be traveling to the World Cup with her child, will also be there. Voss-Tecklenburg nominated a total of three goalkeepers and 20 field players. Janina Minge, midfielder at Cup finalists SC Freiburg, will fly as a substitute to the World Cup, where the first game is against Morocco on July 24.
“We decided on this squad, knowing that we have a high level of performance in our squad. We will now use the time in Australia to swear in as best we can for our upcoming tasks,” said Voss-Tecklenburg. VfL Wolfsburg has the strongest block with ten players.
The German World Cup squad:
Goal: Ann-Katrin Berger (Chelsea FC), Merle Frohms (VfL Wolfsburg), Stina Johannes (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Defense: Marina Hegering, Kathrin Hendrich, Felicitas Rauch (all VfL Wolfsburg), Sara Doorsoun, Sophia Kleinherne (both Eintracht Frankfurt), Chantal Hagel (TSG Hoffenheim), Sjoeke Nusken (FC Chelsea)
Midfield/Attack: Klara Buhl, Sydney Lohmann, Lina Magull, Lea Schuller (all FC Bayern), Jule Brand, Svenja Huth, Lena Lattwein, Lena Oberdorf, Alexandra Popp (all VfL Wolfsburg), Nicole Anyomi, Laura Freigang (both Eintracht Frankfurt), Sara Däbritz (Olympique Lyon), Melanie Leupolz (Chelsea)
asz/cw (SID, dpa)
Source: DW
