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Austria's Posch Plays With Protective Face Mask
2 Jul
Summary
- Defender Stefan Posch wears a protective mask for Austria's World Cup match.
- Posch sustained a fractured jaw during an earlier game against Jordan.
- The unique mask was designed in Los Angeles and manufactured in Phoenix.
Defender Stefan Posch captured attention during Austria's World Cup round of 32 match against Spain in Los Angeles. He entered the field at SoFi Stadium wearing a distinctive black protective face mask. This appearance marks Austria's first World Cup knockout stage participation since 1954.
The reason for the mask stems from a fractured jaw Posch sustained in Austria's opening group stage game, a 3-1 victory over Jordan. Despite the injury, he avoided surgery, allowing the medical team to focus on his availability. The protective mask was specifically designed in Los Angeles and manufactured in Phoenix to shield his injured jaw while he competes.
Posch utilized this custom facial protection in Austria's subsequent group games, including their 2-0 loss to Argentina and a 3-3 draw with Algeria, which secured their progression to the knockout stages. Fans in the U.S. can watch the Spain vs. Austria match on Fox Network and Telemundo.