“It starts with a difficult start” – Merkel wishes the national team luck in the EM
Status: 03:55 a.m.
Chancellor Angela Merkel is known to national coach Joachim Löw and his players as a loyal fan
Source: dpa / Robert Michael
In the meantime it has become a tradition: Before the start of a major tournament, Chancellor Angela Merkel reports to the German national soccer team to swear in the players. The DFB proudly posts a photo – and praises the Chancellor.
Bund-Chancellor Angela Merkel wished national coach Joachim Löw and the national soccer team good luck for the European championship in a video link. “I’m looking forward to your games. It starts off with difficulty; I keep my fingers crossed that you can get very far, ”tweeted government spokesman Steffen Seibert on behalf of the Chancellor on Thursday evening after the online exchange of ideas.
In the team quarters in Herzogenaurach, the DFB stars posed with Löw and his coaching team in front of a big screen, on which the Chancellor smiled friendly. Team veteran Toni Kroos held a shirt signed by the players with the number ten and Merkel’s name into the camera.
The now classic exchange between top politicians and the DFB-Elf had to be held digitally this time due to the corona pandemic. “Thank you for your support and the best wishes, dear Chancellor,” replied the DFB selection also on Twitter.
DFB Director Oliver Bierhoff had already emphasized the importance of the support from the Chancellery for the EM tournament before the video meeting. “It is Jogi’s last tournament, it is also her last tournament with the national team. It is also a tradition when the Chancellor wishes the team good luck again, which is of course a huge appreciation, “said Bierhoff.
Bierhoff praised the atmosphere of conversation with the Chancellor at many meetings before and during many tournaments since the 2006 home World Cup. “She is very interested, is very intelligent, has always asked questions without giving the impression that she has football expertise. She is always interested in people, ”said the DFB director. It has not yet been clarified whether Merkel will also be a guest at one of the EM games in the stadium.
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