Werder team captain Torsten Frings will not be considered for nomination for the German national team for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. That was the result of a...
Werder team captain Torsten Frings will not be considered for nomination for the German national team for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. That was the result of a...
Werder team captain Torsten Frings will not be considered for nomination for the German national team for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. That was the result of a personal conversation between the 33-year-old Frings and German national team boss Joachim Löw on Wednesday at the Bremen Parkhotel.
The Werder player, who had already voiced scepticism regarding his World Cup chances at the Werder training camp in Dubai, accepted the decision but admitted he was disappointed. "This step comes extremely surprising for me. I should have expected it when you look at all the signs. And the only thing I can do is accept it – even though I am of an entirely different opinion of Joachim Löw. I believe that I still have the potential for a strong performance at a World Cup. And I will continue to prove that in the Bundesliga," said Frings.
"It is a disappointing decision by the national team coach," said Werder manager Klaus Allofs about Löw’s decision. "It’s too bad that our captain will not have the chance to play at the World Cup. Torsten Frings is and will remain a decisive player for us, one that surely could play an important role for the national team because of his vast international experience. But Joachim Löw is the one responsible and we have to accept his decisions."
Torsten Frings has played for the German national team since 2001, appearing in 79 matches and scoring 10 goals. He made his debut on 27 February 2001 in the 1-0 loss against France. He finished runner-up at the 2002 World Cup and took third place at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. At his final big international tournament - the 2008 European Championship in Austria and Switzerland - he was again in the final and finished runner-up again. Frings made an appearance for Joachim Löw last year, playing a final time with the German eagle on his chest on 11 February 2009 against Norway.
