Germany has stormed into the quarter-finals of this European Championship, continuing their march towards a home title. While players charge on the field, there’s a team of unsung heroes working behind the scenes to ensure their success. It’s no exaggeration to say that Germany’s current form is largely due to the national team’s medical team.
Flashback to the Round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup, after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Algeria, German defender Mats Hummels famously said, “I’m going to sleep on a stone bed for three days and three nights.” That famous stone bed symbolized the tireless efforts of the national team’s medical staff. Just like in this European Championship, Germany’s management has showered these unsung heroes with the highest praise.
German sporting director Rudi Völler said, “The medical team has once again performed excellently in this European Championship. Dietmar and Banovic, as fitness coaches, are responsible for the team’s warm-up routines and also shoulder the responsibility of specialized training for injured players. In addition, there is team doctor Hahn, who is always on standby, ready to serve the players – this is crucial.”
The national team’s medical staff rarely make the headlines, but in Germany, they deserve all the praise. For a long time, Dr. “Wonder Doctor” Wolfart, a titan in the field of sports physiotherapy in Germany, has been a guardian angel for German players. Even in the current German team’s medical staff, Dr. Wolfart’s legacy is evident. Hahn, who rose through the ranks at Wolfart’s clinic, inherited his mantle at Bayern Munich and the German national team, even taking responsibility for the health of Bayern Munich’s basketball team players. In 2023, Schwarz joined the medical team, succeeding Meyer, who retired after a glorious 21 years of service.
Team doctors, physiotherapists, and fitness coaches make up the entirety of the German team’s medical staff. Daily physiotherapy, personalized training plans, and post-match “cryotherapy regeneration” are their primary responsibilities. Dietmar and Banovic, as fitness coaches, are always a busy sight before training and matches. Physiotherapists Bonz and Chopshi, in close collaboration with Hahn and Schwarz, meticulously monitor the players’ physical condition and the burden they endure during games.
The medical team’s latest triumph comes in the form of defender Rüdiger. The 31-year-old Real Madrid player, after suffering a knee muscle strain, underwent an intensive treatment plan for recovery. As Nagelsmann said at a press conference, the medical team pulled out all the stops within a week to ensure the player’s availability for the match against Denmark. Clearly, when Rüdiger appeared in the starting lineup, the medical team’s achievement deserves to be lauded.
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