In the European Championship clash between Germany and Austria in Vienna, Torsten Frings suffered a broken rib. The initial diagnosis was confirmed on Tuesday afternoon after the Werder Bremen midfielder, accompanied by national team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Müller Wohlfahrt, travelled to the hospital in Lugano to have an x-ray on the injured area.
Frings, who has made 75 international appearances for his country, incurred the injury during a second half challenge. The midfielder complained of unrelenting pain in the rib area on Tuesday and a decision was made to take a precautionary x-ray. The extent of the injury means that the 31 year old is now doubtful for Thursday’s quarter final tie against Portugal in Basel (kick-off 8:45pm).
German national team coach Joachim Löw commented at the team head quarters on Tuesday evening: “Considering how important Torsten is to our team, it is of course clear that our medical team will be doing all in their power to get him fit for Thursday’s clash with Portugal. He will undergo intensive treatment over the next few hours”. A decision as to whether or not Frings can play will be made shortly before the team is announced.