Dunst is Again Footballer of the Year

The 27-year-old Styrian triumphed in the seventh edition of the vote conducted by the APA - Austria Press Agency among the sports officials of the ten women's Bundesliga clubs with 21 points. Behind the cruciate ligament injured Frankfurt midfielder, Sarah Zadrazil (16) came in second as in 2023. Lilli Purtscheller (10) came in third.

Last year there was also a five-point gap, at that time Dunst had received 29 points, as many as no one before. "The first title was of course very nice, but the repeated confirmation actually has a slightly higher value. It feels extremely good and is like a plaster that I add to my plasters," explained Dunst. With two awards, she caught up with Nicole Billa (2019, 2021). Previously, she had been honored as the legionnaire of the season at the Bruno Gala in the fall.

Even though Dunst scored less often than in 2023, she was a key player at Eintracht as well as in the ÖFB national team. This is also why she was ranked first by three league coaches and second by two others. "She has been consistently performing well in the club and the national team for years, where she is the pivot. She has enormous creativity and determination in her game," said Vienna coach Mark Dobrounig, who, like the outgoing LASK coach Benjamin Stolte and Sturm's Sargon Duran, voted for Dunst.

"Clear Difference Maker"

The latter referred to the former St. Pölten player as a "clear difference maker". An "enormous speed" and a "very good dribbling" would distinguish her, added Duran, who is now working as an assistant coach with the Sturm men. Niko Arnautis also knows this well. "Barbara has taken the next step this year and matured, she is extremely important with her wit, creativity and goal threat on the pitch and personality off it," said Frankfurt's coach.

Her absence will be hard and can only be compensated collectively. The ÖFB team, where she was also a regular starter, will "miss Dunsti very much", as team manager Irene Fuhrmann emphasized. "She has invested a lot in her physical condition in recent years, but also in the mental area, to cope positively with the high demands in the club and national team. She has matured as a personality and is definitely a role model for many young footballers," said the 44-year-old.

Barbara Dunst: Many Clubs Are Interested

This is also evident in her market value, which according to www.soccerdonna.de is 170,000 euros and is the highest of any ÖFB player. Her contract expires in the summer, and it's not surprising that many clubs have their eye on "Baba". It's quite possible that the 87-time ÖFB team player will take on a new foreign adventure after Leverkusen, Duisburg and Frankfurt since 2019. "I can't say much about that at the moment. But these are not considerations I'm having after the injury, it's been a longer process in my head."

Frankfurt also did not want to comment. "The important thing is that she will get back on her feet - we're all crossing our fingers for her," said Arnautis. Dunst has certainly taken many colleagues to heart. "I love my mice, it's a very familial atmosphere out there."

She's not putting any pressure on herself on the way back. "I will take as much time as I need until I feel ready, and I don't just mean my knee, but also my head," said the ÖFB Women's Academy graduate. She has "fully accepted" the first serious injury. The high game load cannot really be cited as a reason due to the Champions League qualification knockout. "I've been struggling a bit with sleep in the months before and had a severe iron deficiency. But overall I felt good, I wasn't tired," said Dunst.

Time on Crutches in Styria

On December 4, the day after the 0:1 loss against Poland, she was on the operating table with renowned knee specialist Christian Fink in Innsbruck, two days later she was allowed to go home. Since then, daily therapy sessions have been scheduled. She will probably spend the six-week period on crutches entirely with her family in Styria. Many friends are also by her side. "It's great that I have such a strong environment, it's unbelievable what the girls are doing for me," said the sports management student.

There will be no visits to Christmas markets, skiing or snow hiking, activities she had been looking forward to for a long time. "Now I just have to use the time differently, playing with Lego or painting by numbers, which I love above all else," Dunst shared. In the spring, she will be cheering on from the sidelines. That's when Frankfurt will be going for titles and the ÖFB team will be making positive headlines in the Nations League.

(APA/Red)

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