Crown-infected German players? The Chaos Chronicle for the match in Ukraine

Additional crown infections became known to players in Ukraine on Monday. The Nations League match against Germany was not a lucky star from the start. The overview of events.

It’s the latest highlight of a roller coaster ride over the past few days: Two Ukrainian national team players tested positive for coronavirus on Monday – two players who were on the pitch in Saturday’s match against DFB-Elf in Leipzig. The results make the chaos around the match perfect, which was on the verge of other positive tests in Ukraine.

The question arises: were German players infected with the virus while playing? The consequences cannot be predicted at the moment. One thing is clear: the match was not under a lucky star even before kick-off.

The chronicle of events at a glance.

Friday 13 November:

►At 7:30 pm the shocking news: join the Ukrainian team five crown cases detected. According to the Ukrainian Association, the players are Andrej Jarmolenko, Viktor Zygankow, Viktor Kowalenko, Serhiy Sydortschuk and team manager Wadym Komardin. The Nations League match on Saturday is in grave danger, further tests on Saturday should decide on the implementation.

Saturday 14 November:

► Leipzig authorities decide: Ukrainians should not be in team quarantine – successful actors would not have had close contact with the rest of the team. There are no indications to doubt the statements, says Leipzig city spokesman Matthias Hasberg. “We depend on what this team tells us.” And: “A health department is not a police”.

►Uefa confirmed around 4:30 pm: The match can take place in the evening – all tests on Saturday were negative. “We trust the health authorities who have worked hard,” says team doctor Tim Meyer. “During the game, the risk of infection is much lower than in the environment, which is easier to control. In addition, the double negative test provides safety, even in the afternoon before the game.”

►Before the match, national team coach Löw speaks on ZDF. He stresses: “There was a bit of uncertainty yesterday, but thank God it turned out that the game could take place.” DFB director Bierhoff says: “It is reassuring that the risk on the pitch is not that great and that the players have tested negative twice in a row.”

►Germany wins the game 3: 1. In Ukraine, Eduard Sobol plays 90 minutes, Evgen Makarenko enters the field in the 69th minute. Both will test positive on Monday.

Sobol (right), who later tested positive in a direct duel with Leroy Sané. (Source: imago images)

►After the match, Löw is ambivalent: “From my point of view as a manager, it was good that we played. We at the DFB do not have the possibility to cancel a match. It is not under our control. We do everything possible. We behave in a very disciplined way. We hope that there will continue to be no positive cases “.

Sunday 15 November:

► SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach criticizes the game as “a completely wrong example in the context of the current fight against pandemics”. His party colleague, the president of the sports committee, Dagmar Freitag, is clearer: “While business and holiday travel are practically falling to zero, national teams continue to travel across Europe.

Monday 16 November:

►The Ukrainian Association announced in the early afternoon: Players Sobol and Makarenko tested positive for coronavirus. Tuesday’s Nations League match against Switzerland is on the verge.

Match scene in Ukraine: Robin Koch (left) in a duel with Makarenko, now positive. (Source: imago images)

► National team manager Löw is “surprised” by the results. “The tests on Friday and Saturday before the game were all negative. The doctor assured us that we must not be afraid: if someone is tested on the day of the game, it is not contagious.”

Tuesday 17 November:

► The match of the Nations League of Ukraine in Switzerland will be due to the recent positive crown tests called out. Positive tests with three other players and a Ukrainian supervisor.