DPA
Hanover
Ann-Katrin Berger could be Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper at the Olympic women’s football tournament, after fighting back from thyroid cancer twice in the past years.
Berger, 33, performed flawlessly in Tuesday’s 4-0 win over Austria and can now hope to also be between the posts next week Thursday when Germany play their first Olympic match against Australia in Marseille.
Berger was diagnosed with thyroid cancer for the first time in 2017 and again in 2022.
Merle Frohms has played at the last big events but Berger has been fielded several times by coach Horst Hrubesch who said that “the final decision who play in Marseille will be made in Marseille.” Berger plays for US club NJ/NY Gotham FC after a previous term in England at Chelsea.
She said that she can help the national team with her experience in different leagues, and named making the Olympic squad a dream come true.
“Of course it would be the icing on the cake if I would also play,” she added. “I am proud, and especially with my underlying condition it makes me stronger.”
