Germany – Netherlands: Joachim Loew sees the game as “message” – t-online.de

Barsinghausen (AP) – This time is not about goals, victory and jubilation. After the terrorist Eight of Paris who was still extremely agitated Joachim Löw has declared the annual accounts against the Netherlands to a game for Peace and Freedom -. Beyond any kind of relevance

With emotional words the coach called at a memorable press conference his football champion, the opponents from the Netherlands and especially the audience in Hannover on to make the last international match of the year to a manifesto for democratic values ​​on Tuesday night. “If we the occurrence of the game so understand, then we have won regardless of the outcome,” Loew postulated in Barsinghausen.

“The game has a clear message and is a clear symbol of freedom and democracy,” stressed the person is still affected by the events of Friday night champion coach. Now go in the game with Chancellor Angela Merkel and many federal ministers on the grandstand about “connectedness, compassion, grief and solidarity for our French friends not only in France, but throughout Europe and to demonstrate to the whole world”.

Despite the traumatic for many thousands of people experience themselves Löw spoke clearly in favor of an alignment of the Euro 2016 in France with the Anschlagsort Stade de France as the heart of the tournament. “It makes no sense to discuss another country. I am sure that the EM will take place in France,” Loew, who on December 12 at the group draw an important date again in Paris has said. The concrete EM-preparation is possible for the DFB head coach only at double Gameday with the games against England in Berlin on March 26, 2016 and three days later in Munich against Italy.

The focus was on Löw anyway More time at the game on Tuesday and the processing of current events. “Clearly, our thoughts also be tomorrow with the families and friends of the victims and we sympathize and communicate mourn at every stage of the game.”

In the capital of Lower Saxony went on Monday after the series of attacks from Paris by far more than 120 dead increased security measures, as the 18 national players should gather in the team quarters on the outskirts of town in Barsinhausen. Also there was security, “the Prio 1″ as DFB interim chief Rainer Koch had spent on the game.

sniffer dogs searched the area of ​​the sports school. “There are, of course, offer increased security measure. They will also take place. In detail, the need to define the security forces. It is the greatest possible safety for spectators and teams guarantees” promised Oliver Bierhoff.

The team manager had the events in France is not even released. “The day after, it was almost worse. There is a more aware, if you look at the pictures yourself,” said the ex-international, who was expressly praised by Löw for his role as a crisis manager in the dramatic hours in Paris again.

The long and sleepless night with all the players and DFB coaches in shock and terrified in the cab of the Stade de France had left their mark during 55s. Only on Sunday, Loew could ever imagine that you could play against the Netherlands. “The next morning I had the feeling that the game can not take place and should,” said Loew. After long discussions and consultations should be but then on Sunday morning “have been clear to all that the game should take place and needs,” said Loew.

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room for the usual rivalry with football nemesis Oranje it Löw in the 41st football compared with the neighboring country not. Even at the risk that the present in the reconstruction opponents the game but is expected to take seriously sporty. “If the players tomorrow to enter the field, they are footballers who still perform well and want to win,” said Holland coach Danny Blind.

The game is not sold-out stadium should with ” very different and are played for completely different values ​​”, but finds Löw. The question for the miserable state of the Oranje after failing European Championship qualifier declined Löw. “Today this is not the right time to talk about it, that must make Holland itself.”

The sporting importance for Löw irrelevant – similar to the situation after the suicide of goalkeeper Robert Enke, as you before exactly six years against the Ivory Coast took. The team he wanted to explain only once before the final training session, “Why are we doing this game” and why “not so simple be business as usual” could. “The sporting value recedes into the background. I have to see how the players handle that. But I think this game is not for me the scale,” said the 55-year-old with a view to possible EM findings.

Captain Bastian Schweinsteiger, his deputy Manuel Neuer and Oldie Lukas Podolski got free and despite all sociopolitical symbolism not expected as a spectator in Hannover. Jerome Boateng (knee) and Jonas Hector (thigh) are missing chipped. Starlet Leroy Sané plays on Tuesday as arranged for the U21 against Austria.

Before the kickoff there is to be actions of solidarity. Here one is in discussions with colleagues from the Netherlands, said Bierhoff. The idea to play the French anthem would also welcomed by SPD leader Sigmar Gabriel. It is important to Loew and Bierhoff that the spectators capture the scope.

“There is certainly no mood for La-Ola-wave be”. Only after the game one could gaze slowly sent back to the front. “It will be so that we can break down these thoughts again and again think of the sport,” Bierhoff said.