Germany captain Michael Ballack will lead teammates as well as around 25,000 fans in paying their last respects tomorrow to goalkeeper Robert Enke, whose suicide has stunned the country.
The entire Germany squad will travel to Hanover for a memorial service at Enke’s home stadium.
The 32-year-old, who had been plagued by depression, flung himself under a train on Tuesday.
PHOTO: AFP
Ballack, Germany coach Joachim Loew and the rest of the squad will attend the emotional event at Hannover 96’s ground before Enke, who was set to travel to South Africa for next year’s World Cup, is buried at a private service.
Germany were to play Chile in a friendly today, but after consultation with senior players Ballack, Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Per Mertesacker, the German Football Federation (DFB) called the game off.
The players said they were in no fit state to play an international after the death of their close friend.
“These are not ice-cold millionaires in the national team — they were Robert’s friends,” DFB general secretary Wolfgang Niersbach said.
“Straight away Michael Ballack told us that after this tragedy it would simply not be possible for him to go to the stadium and play football. The decision quickly became clear that we would not play the game,” he said
Ballack had known Enke since he was 13, while Bremen’s Mertesacker played with the goalkeeper for a year at Hanover.
“We are stunned, speechless and helpless,” said Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff, speaking on the players’ behalf.
“We thought about playing the game in Cologne as a farewell to Robert, but it was clear the game came too soon after this tragedy,” he said.
“The media will no doubt write whether it is right or not to call off the game, but they were not there [when the news broke],” he added before breaking down in tears. “All the players feel the same way I do.”
Bierhoff said the players have been stunned to learn of Enke’s closely-guarded illness from which he had suffered since 2003.
“Robert often spoke to our psychologist Hans-Dieter Hermann,” Bierhoff said. “But no-one, no-one had any reason to believe he was suffering from an illness. Robert always had a smile on his face, he radiated warmth.”
DFB boss Theo Zwanziger contacted the Chile team, who had already arrived in Leverkusen to prepare for today’s game, and the South Americans immediately agreed to cancel the match as a mark of respect.
The Chileans will now play Slovakia in a friendly on Tuesday.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely