SARAH ZADRAZIL is the unicycle-riding juggler who plays for Bayern Munich and is primed to terrorise England in Group A at Euro 2022.
The Austrian midfield maestro is an icon in her country, with 96 caps ahead of this summer’s tournament.
Sarah Zadrazil with fellow Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
The Austria icon signed for Bayern in 2020 and lifted the Bundesliga trophy in her first season Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Zadrazil learnt to juggle as a kid to help improve her skiing Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
The midfielder can even juggle on a unicycle Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk She was the first female footballer to sign a commercial deal with Red Bull.
The 29-year-old signed for Bayern in 2020 and lifted the Bundesliga title with the German club in her first season.
Many fans already know her for her bizarre love of juggling and ability to ride a unicycle.
Zadrazil said: “I used to go to school in my hometown on the unicycle when I was about 12 or 13.
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Toone dreams of England goals and knee slide celebrations at Old Trafford “It was a part of co-ordination and balance training for skiing. I can still do it. I can even juggle on the unicycle.
“I kept those skills going.”
Zadrazil also studied to become a nursery school teacher while playing in the Austria youth set up.
She said: “Football took a lot of time, and sometimes there were a moments when I thought, ‘ok, time for an away game again this weekend, my friends are all doing something else.
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“But it was always fun for me and I reminded myself I play football because it’s my passion.”
The Bayern midfielder was part of the Austria national team that made it to the Euro semi finals in 2017.
It was only the first time they had qualified for the tournament.
Zadrazil said: “I’ll never forget that tournament.
“The experience of being the underdog then making it to the semi-final and seeing a whole country become euphoric.
“Up to then no one had been interested in women’s football, but then 12,000 people watched us in the semi-final in the public viewing area in Vienna.”
Chelsea fans will also remember Zadrazil for her wonder-strike for Bayern in their Champions League semi-final defeat to the Blues last year.
Getting out of the group is the main aim for Austria at this summer’s Euros.
They are up against England first – and may struggle against the hosts.
Their second game is against Northern Ireland before a potential winner-takes-all fixture against Norway.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
