Fit again after a season ravaged by a cruciate ligament injury, Torsten Frings is back in the Germany squad and dreaming of victory in the UEFA EURO 2008™ final in Vienna.
First choice
Frings played just eleven Bundesliga games this term, two more in the UEFA Champions League and he last featured for Germany in a 3-0 defeat by the Czech Republic on 17 October 2007. Nonetheless, he remains one of the first names on national coach Joachim Löw's team sheet. "The coach always tells me I am in the squad if I am fit," he said. "So I've always had an eye on the EURO."
Knee injury
Frings' misfortunes began in July 2007 when he damaged cruciate ligaments in his right knee during a pre-season friendly. The Werder Bremen midfielder was to make two comebacks from the injury, but both were curtailed by recurrences of the same problem. "I feel as if I am being dogged by misfortune," the battling anchor man said. "It just hasn't been my year."
Back on song
Frings returned to the Bremen squad for good for their 25th Bundesliga match of the season, helping them win six of their last eight fixtures to finish second in the table. Given the 31-year-old's excellent form, Löw has been watching closely, congratulating him after a fine 25-metre goal against FC Hansa Rostock. Frings said: "Joachim Löw congratulated me. He is delighted that I am fit again."
Tournament player
And with good reason. The former BV Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern München star is known as a tournament player. "Torsten can work his way into a championship and that is why he is so important to us," explained Löw. Having scored ten goals in 70 internationals, Frings is hungry for finals action again, having been suspended for Germany's 2006 FIFA World Cup semi-final exit against Italy.
Confidence soaring
His confidence soaring, Frings believes Germany are capable of winning UEFA EURO 2008™. "In my opinion, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, France and ourselves have the best chance of taking the title," he said. A winner's medal to go with his runners-up award from the 2002 World
No comments:
Post a Comment