“The terrorist is not soft” – kick off in Hannover – Süddeutsche.de

The test match of the National Football Team in Hannover against the Netherlands takes place. The parties want to set an example.

From Philipp Sellendorf, Frankfurt

rolled On the day after the attacks in Paris in Germany the ball largely according to program. In the regional leagues, the operation was continued on schedule in the junior leagues and the Federal Association Cup as well, and in Gelsenkirchen received Gerald Asamoah in the evening more than 61 000 spectators to his farewell match. “We have dealt a lot with the question whether after these events must take place such a game at all,” said Schalke boss Clemens Tonnies Team on behalf of the host Schalke 04 the audience in the stadium. Finally, but decided against the rejection, so the club head: “These terrorists want to intimidate us, they want to spread not only in France fear and terror, they want our way of life and combat especially our freedom We have to fight us. , and on the other hand we need to set clear and unequivocal signals. “

With similar arguments on Saturday, the two commissioners DFB president Reinhard Rauball and Rainer Koch had to host the Test match of the national team against the Netherlands on Tuesday pronounced in Hannover. “.. This is a very sensitive story for the team but I am of the opinion that one should not yield to the terror we must those who did this to us, not allow the triumph,” Rauball said while Koch explained: “Of course, we have to observe the requirements of the security authorities. Basically I see the DFB and the national team but also in the socio-political responsibility to send the clear message that our rule of law must not give way to terror. ” Both, however, put the caveat that you initially wanted to leave at least about one night before finally to decide to let the game take place – or still cancel. For the French Federation and the French national team at that time was long since determined to compete in London’s Wembley Stadium to the test against England on Tuesday.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the game at the stadium wants with her Cabinet View

The Germans were more time to provide clarity. It was not until Sunday afternoon at half past three, before the decision was announced from Frankfurt to discharge as provided for the meeting with the Netherlands. However, the DFB-tip and the management of the national team had coordinated their stance already in the morning in a conference call, as was assured from the Association headquarters. It involved the two interim presidents and national coach Joachim Loew and team manager Oliver Bierhoff. “It was not discussed or even haggling,” it said. That it had taken with the confirmation of the date comparatively long, was because of “organizational circumstances”, “we just wanted to win some distance to what happened in France.” With the Dutch, meanwhile, held Secretary Helmut Sandrock contact, communication is at all times been “amicably”.

Confirms is now also that German Chancellor Angela Merkel will visit with her entire Cabinet the game on Tuesday night. The presence of the assembled government is still insistent testify that sport plays a subordinate role in this international game; the focus is on the political and symbolic punctuation. The intention is to express a gesture of solidarity and determination. The Association leadership and the team management had “unanimously a sign for freedom and against terror” agreed, informed the DFB with. The fact that the participating footballers quite existed some concern, however, is not denied in the context of the team. To many professional who has witnessed the horror in Paris, now does not seem to be in the mood for football games. “The entire team – players, coaches and staff – is still severely affected,” says Oliver Bierhoff, “yet all know that it is important to set an example and to work as a team for our values ​​and culture.” Bierhoff forgets then but not add, that was “under these circumstances the sporting value of the game against the Netherlands, of course, to evaluate low”.

In any case, the encounter was with the neighboring country have long suspected the claim at a classic not withstand. Loew had already announced last week that he would some after the game in Paris the very busy Stars take a break. From the squad of Friday game six players are now missing if meet the rest this Monday at half past one in the Sports School Barsinghausen to prepare. Manuel Neuer, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski were exempted for recreational purposes, Jerome Boateng and Jonas Hector signed up because of injuries from, and Leroy Sané changes as agreed for the qualifier against Austria to Horst Hrubeschs U21 team.