Faisst adds to Germany absence list
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
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Suffering from glandular fever, VfL Wolfsburg full-back Verena Faisst will play no part in Germany's bid for an eighth European title this summer, but vows to return stronger next term.
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Verena Faisst has become the second VfL Wolfsburg player to be ruled out of Germany's UEFA Women's EURO 2013 campaign.
The left-back has conceded defeat in her bid to overcome the bout of glandular fever that precluded her from featuring in treble winners Wolfsburg's German Cup and UEFA Women's Champions League final victories.
The news follows that of Viola Odebrecht, who last week was told she requires an operation after an MRI scan confirmed that the midfielder has damaged cartilage and torn the meniscus in her right knee.
"I knew when the original diagnosis came through that it would be close in terms of making EURO," said the 24-year-old Faisst, who made four appearances in qualifying. "My hope was always small. I got better but we still knew it wouldn't make much sense to be involved. It's really, really disappointing but [my] health is more important than anything.
"My focus is definitely on next season. When I'm back to full health I'll start working on the physical side of things so hopefully I can be at full fitness come the start of the season. That's my main aim."
Seven-time European champions Germany play the Netherlands, Norway and Iceland in the group stage in the Sweden finals, which run from 10 to 28 July.