Euro 2012: Ankle injury and camp mole hamper Germans

Published on 25/06/2012 00:56

A NAGGING ankle problem for Bastian Schweinsteiger and the continuing issue of a mole in the camp have cast a small shadow over Germany’s preparations for their Euro 2012 semi-final in Warsaw on Thursday.

Midfielder Schweinsteiger has missed some training sessions due to an ankle injury picked up earlier in the year. “He has a problem and obviously it is best when no player has a problem,” captain Philipp Lahm told reporters yesterday. “It is okay when you miss a training session but when you need to sit out several then it is not that easy. But I am not too concerned. Bastian knows his body inside out, he is experienced and he will be able to deliver on Thursday.”

German preparations have also been hit by revelations that a mole has been leaking their line-ups to media hours before kick-off. Coach Joachim Loew has said it was none of his players but did not rule out the possibility that the “Deep Throat” could be someone they talked to – from friends and wives or maybe agents.

Lahm said the issue had again been raised with the players and that the culprit was causing some damage.

“It is normal for a player to tell his wife, girlfriend or agent whether he will play once he finds out, but you cannot reveal the line-up. You cannot do that.”

“The one who released it has a problem. He has not understood how this works.

“But we will not deploy a spy,” added Loew.