Prinz misses China warm-up
Friday, January 5, 2007
Article summary
Germany will turn to some newer talents in this month's China Four Nations event in the absence of key players including Birgit Prinz and Steffi Jones.
Article body
Germany coach Sylvia Neid will give some newer talents a chance to shine as they travel to FIFA Women's World Cup host nation China for the Four Nations tournament from 26-30 January without several established players including captain Birgit Prinz.
Absentees
Prinz, who won a German record 155th cap in the 6-3 win against Japan in November while also taking her goal tally to 101, cannot travel due to work commitments, and nor can fellow forward Kerstin Garefrekes and second-choice goalkeeper Nadine Angerer. Meanwhile midfielder Renate Lingor and defensive duo Steffi Jones and Sandra Minnert are recovering from injuries and will remain in Germany,
Young talents
That has left the door open for two 18-year-olds, defender Babett Peter and midfielder Fatmire Bajramaj, who have been capped five times and once respectively. VfL Wolfsburg goalkeeper Stephanie Ullrich has been called up for the first time, but there is still experience in the world and European champions' lineup, not least midfielder Ariane Hingst, defender Kerstin Stegeman and forward Sandra Smisek, who all have appeared for their country more than 100 times. Germany start their fixtures against the United States before playing the hosts and then fellow European World Cup qualifiers England, who they defeated 5-1 in October.
