Throughout the second half of the semi-final, Torsten Frings battled, tackled and directed the play – and all that just nine days after breaking a rib in the final group game against Austria. But did he come through the first serious test since picking up the injury unscathed and could he take the enormous strain on his damaged rib without any problems?
Throughout the second half of the semi-final, Torsten Frings battled, tackled and directed the play – and all that just nine days after breaking a rib in the final group game against Austria. But did he come through the first serious test since picking up the injury unscathed and could he take the enormous strain on his damaged rib without any problems?
They were questions that the Werder Bremen man was able to answer to the relief of the fans in an interview on Friday: “I’m feeling really good, and the nagging doubts I had before the Turkey game have been dispelled. I was astounded myself at how well everything went for me in the semi-final.” The 31 year old left no doubts as to how eagerly he is awaiting the final in Vienna on Sunday, 29.06.2008 (kick-off 8:45pm), and how he is hoping to stamp his mark on the match: “I’m really up for the game. If I was Frings the trainer, I would allow Frings the player to start this time!!”
The German national team are now only left with one hurdle to clear, but it’s that of the immensely strong Spanish team. And trainer Luis Aragones’ side is lavishing the prospect of putting a spanner in the German works. Frings praised his opponents saying:”The Spaniards are technically very strong and secure on the ball.” And his respect for the opposing finalists is not without cause. The tournaments surprise package from Russia, trained by Dutch coaching legend Gus Hiddink, were twice treated to demonstrations in how to play the game by the success hungry Spanish.
