Referreport
Germany’s women’s soccer team will have to play the Olympic semi-final against the USA without captain Alexandra Popp. The 33-year-old from VfL Wolfsburg is missing due to an infection, as the DFB announced a few hours before kick-off.
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Striker Nicole Anyomi from Eintracht Frankfurt has been nominated to replace Popp. Giulia Gwinn from FC Bayern Munich is expected to wear the captain’s armband.
Popp, Germany’s “Footballer of the Year”, had already missed the final training session due to a “scratchy throat” (national coach Horst Hrubesch). The DFB women will face the four-time Olympic champions this evening (6 p.m./ARD and Eurosport), against whom they lost 4-1 in the preliminary round.
Popp’s return theoretically possible
Popp is the only remaining player who was on the field during the 2016 gold triumph in Rio and replaced Lena Oberdorf, who had to undergo knee surgery, in midfield in France.
FIFA rules would allow Popp to return for the next game and the late nominee would be reclassified as available for selection, as the Olympic squads only include 18 players.
The final is scheduled for Saturday in Paris, and if the German team wins, they will face the winner of the match between Spain and Brazil. The duel for bronze will take place on Friday in Lyon.
In the preliminary round, left-back Sarai Linder was out due to an infection. Hrubesch brought in US professional Felicitas Rauch for Wolfsburg, who then played her way into the team.
Source: German