Vin front of the gates of Madrid, EM co-favorite Spain has now finally called up a corona emergency squad, in Gothenburg Sweden’s football bosses have tightened the hygiene measures again. A few days before the European champions from 2008 and 2012 met the Scandinavians directly on Monday (9 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the European Football Championship, on ZDF and on MagentaTV), a total of four corona cases have already had a lasting effect on the final preparation and the Fears about further positive results pushed aside the anticipation for the start next Monday in front of up to 12,000 spectators in Seville.
Spain’s national coach Luis Enrique called another eleven players – all of them from the U21s – into the parallel bubble on Wednesday. “Out of panic about an outbreak like in Fuenlabrada,” wrote the sports newspaper “As”. In the Madrid suburb, almost 30 people from the local second division club were infected with the corona virus last summer.
Association boss Luis Rubiales indicated on Tuesday evening that Spain’s national team could not stay with the infections of captain Sergio Busquets and Diego Llorente. On the fringes of the game, which was actually intended as a dress rehearsal for the “Roja”, but ultimately turned into a successful performance by the U21s against Lithuania (4-0), the latter said: “There can be more positive (results), it it is likely that this will happen. “
An EM team needs 13 players
It is already a nightmare for the Spaniards. Two important players are definitely missing from the first group game, and whether and how they can be used on Saturday next week against Poland for Bundesliga record scorer Robert Lewandowski remains to be seen. Coach Enrique may have to decide beforehand whether he is planning with them or may have to remove them from his EM considerations altogether. Much should depend on the course of the infection.
It is also very questionable whether vaccinations, which media reports say the Interterritorial Health Council will decide on this Wednesday, could really help the Spaniards at this stage. A corresponding request from the association boss a few weeks ago was rejected by the responsible authorities. And so the Spaniards are preparing for the worst possible scenario: More positive cases in the EM squad that has now shrunk to 22 players due to the immediate departure of Busquets and Llorente.
Together with the six players who have already been ordered since the first Corona case became known, the eleven U-21 professionals should train for the first time on Wednesday. According to the association, the parallel squad will work outside the EM squad bubble in Las Rozas de Madrid. The 17 players are brought there daily after being tested beforehand. They should also be checked for the corona virus on arrival.
In order to play, a team needs 13 players, including a goalkeeper, who have tested negative at this European Championship. If there are professionals who are new to the squad, the same number must be removed from the original line-up. Other opponents for the Spaniards in the group stage are Poland on June 19 and Slovakia on June 23.
There is also maximum tension in Spain’s opening opponent Sweden. After Dejan Kulusevski, Mattias Svanberg also tested positive. Kulusevski did not even come to the final phase of preparation in Gothenburg, Svanberg was immediately isolated in the team hotel. In a crisis meeting on Tuesday evening, the Swedes tightened the safety and hygiene measures again. The six-point plan includes, among other things, even more tests, plus team meetings in small groups, but in the largest possible space, as well as treatments for players outdoors and for a limited time.
Coach Janne Andersson wants to prepare the Swedish national team for the European Championship opener on Monday against Spain, despite the two corona cases. The Scandinavian coach reported on Wednesday at a press conference in Gothenburg that it was a good morning in terms of football; many players are very committed and active, stressed Andersson.
The 58-year-old also gave details about Dejan Kulusevski. The professional from Juventus Turin and his girlfriend were invited to dinner by his sister and her boyfriend.
When he got there, some of his friends were there too – “as a little surprise,” as Andersson said. Kulusevski went there on the basic assumption that he had already had Covid-19 and therefore could not have become infected again. Nevertheless, this was not a good decision, emphasized the coach.
“He really regrets very much”
Around the same time Andersson was speaking, a short video appeared on social media showing Kulusevski with several people in an apartment. It is said to have been created on May 31st, when the crew had time off.
“He really regrets being at the meal and the meeting,” said Sweden’s national coach. However, he does not believe that Kulusevski was infected at this meeting. Mattias Svanberg was the second player to become infected with the virus. According to team doctor Anders Valentin, both show no symptoms, but will be out for the game in Seville against the Spaniards, who are also suffering from Corona.
.
