Soccer Championship
Austria’s women’s national team will have to do without Laura Wienroither in the second group game at the European Championships in England on Monday (6 p.m., live on ORF1) against Northern Ireland. The right-back tested positive for the corona virus, as the ÖFB announced on Saturday afternoon. The Arsenal legionnaire showed mild symptoms and was immediately isolated. It is already the second CoV case in the team after that of striker Lisa Kolb, who did not even come.
In addition, before the start of the tournament, Reinhard Wögerbauer, an ÖFB physiotherapist, had also tested positive. “We knew it could happen, despite all the precautionary measures, we just don’t have it under our control,” said ÖFB team boss Irene Fuhrmann. The failure is bitter. “Laura acted very consistently, we could always count on her,” said the 41-year-old from Vienna. Whether or when Wienroither can get back into action cannot be estimated.
The topic disrupts the preparation for a European Championship game once again. It’s good for team boss Irene Fuhrmann that, compared to 2017, when the starting eleven sorted itself out, there is now really strong competition in all positions. Also on that of Wienroither, where Katharina Schiechtl probably has the best chance of a place in the starting lineup.
Schiechtl’s type of player could be in demand especially against the Northern Irish, as the 29-year-old is characterized above all by robustness and strength in the air. If the score was tight, it would also be an issue on offense. “There have already been games at Bremen where the coach said go up front and hold your head up. Because of my size and strength in the ball, that can be a tried and tested method,” said the defender, who is also known for her long throws.
