DFB confirm Oberdorf will miss Olympics
| Lena Oberdorf | Steffen Prößdorf CC BY-SA 4.0 |
The awaited results of German women's national team midfielder's awaited Lena Oberdorf's MRI on Wednesdayunfortunately revealed the worst possible news. The 22-year-old will miss the coming Olympic tournament with a cruciate ligament tear. Oberdorf was substituted off in the 70th-minute of last night's victory over Austria.
“This news hurts! Our worst fears have come true," national team coach Horst Hrubesch noted in a statement released by the German FA, "We are all thinking of Obi and feel for her. We will now once again join forces for the Olympic Games. We wish to and will also play for her as we pursue the gold medal."
Who precisely will replace Oberdorf on the Olympic roster will be made clear in the coming days. Hrubesch has been operating with a 23-player-roster over the last two pre-Olympic qualification matches. Five of the players eligible for selection against Iceland and Austria in the past days. Four of the outfield players eligible for the qualifiers did not make the initial Olympic squad.
Midfielders Pia-Sophie Walter (Eintracht Frankfurt) and Janina Minge (SC Freiburg) are available to take Oberdorf's roster place, as are defenders Felicitas Rauch (North Carolina Courage) and Eintracht striker Nicole Anyomi. Eintracht Keeper Stina Johannes won't be coming along as the Olympic roster only allows for two net-minders.
