MADRID, June 28 — Spain’s preparations for the forthcoming Women’s European Championships in Switzerland have suffered a major setback with the news that midfielder Aitana Bonmati has been taken to hospital suffering from viral meningitis. The two-times Ballon d’Or winner was missing from the side that defeated Japan in its last preparation game on Friday night, and in her post-game press conference, coach Montse Tome confirmed Aitana’s illness. “She was taken for tests this [Friday] morning and in the final test she was confirmed to have viral meningitis,” explained Tome, who added that “the word [meningitis] is scary, but in principle, it is under control.” The Spain squad is due to fly to Switzerland on Sunday, but Aitana’s diagnosis means she is a major doubt for her side’s opening game against Portugal on July 3, and she could miss the entire tournament. “We don’t have a return date,” added Tome. There is also a worry among the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) that Aitana could have infected other members of the squad, given that players have spent a week together preparing for the Euros at the RFEF headquarters just outside Madrid. Goals from Claudia Pina, Vicky Lopez and Athenea del Castillo saw Spain win 3-1 against Japan on Friday at a hot Butarque Stadium in Leganes, with Spain reacting well against a disciplined Japan side that had taken the lead midway through the first half.
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