The opening match of the inaugural Arnold Clark Cup gets underway this afternoon as former world champions Germany take on a Spain side which continues to grow at a rapid rate.
The two sides’ fascinating clash at The Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough comes just hours before England arrive on Teesside to face Olympic Gold Medalists Canada at the same venue this evening.
Germany head coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg has been facing selection headaches in the lead up to the tournament with a whole host of players having either been ruled out through illness or COVID-19. Lena Lattwein, Svenja Huth, Almuth Schult, Tabea Waßmuth, Kathrin Hendrich and Sjoeke Nüsken have all been ruled out in the last week while Alexandra Popp, Pia Wolter, Marina Hegering, Laura Benkarth, Sydney Lohmann, Dzsenifer Marozsan, Melanie Leupolz and Paulina Krumbiegel were already missing when the initial squad selection was announced. There are representatives from the Barclays FA Women’s Super League in the German squad with Ann-Katrin Berger (Chelsea), Leonie Maier (Everton) and Ramona Petzelberger (Aston Villa) all having been selected.
A COVID-19 test complication has ruled Real Madrid’s Claudia Zornoza out of the tournament while Barcelona’s Irene Paredes withdrew with a muscle injury. Manchester United fans are expected to arrive at The Riverside Stadium nice and early with full-back Ona Batlle possibly in-line for another Spanish cap.
The opening Arnold Clark Cup match between Germany and Spain kicks-off at 2.30pm.