Germany played France in Paris on Friday night. However, as the evening progressed and events unfolded elsewhere in the city, the game faded into insignificance.
The terrorist attacks in the city, which resulted in the deaths of over 100 citizens, overshadowed the game. The team spent the evening in the Stade de France – the events had shocked everyone to the core. The Stade de France, which is due to host next year’s European Championship final, was also targeted, as two loud explosions could be heard in the first half of the game. Germany head coach Joachim Löw said: “We are all devastated and shocked. For me, the sport, the game and both conceded goals have completely faded into the background. There is nothing to say about that.”
Dr. Reinhard Rauball, the 1st DFB Vice-President and delegation leader of the national team, added that “German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier sat next to me and the messages he received got more tragic by the minute. It was immediately clear that, on a day like this, sport would fade into the background.”
President Hollande declares state of emergency
Unrest had already hit Paris earlier in the day. Germany’s team hotel was evacuated due to a bomb scare – an event which undoubtedly unsettled those affected. However, the drama that took place that evening was much greater and ultimately much more tragic.
The players and the 80,000 spectators in the sold out Stade de France got a sense that something was up soon after the game started. Two loud explosions were heard during the first half of the match. Joachim Löw’s mind made connections instantly: “I obviously thought about the bomb threat when I heard the bang. Every one of us on the bench thought about it, as we had all been left shocked earlier in the day already. When I heard it, I could picture what had just happened.”
It wasn’t clear at this point just what was going on in Paris, however, terrifying new updates were constantly coming in. During the night, France’s President François Hollande explained that the attacks were the largest ones to take place on French soil. He issued an immediate state of emergency and 1,500 additional soldiers were mobilised in order to prevent any further atrocities from taking place.
Bierhoff: "There was a lot of uncertainty in the changing room"
Germany played France in Paris on Friday night. However, as the evening progressed and events unfolded elsewhere in the city, the game faded into insignificance.
The terrorist attacks in the city, which resulted in the deaths of over 100 citizens, overshadowed the game. The team spent the evening in the Stade de France – the events had shocked everyone to the core. The Stade de France, which is due to host next year’s European Championship final, was also targeted, as two loud explosions could be heard in the first half of the game. Germany head coach Joachim Löw said: “We are all devastated and shocked. For me, the sport, the game and both conceded goals have completely faded into the background. There is nothing to say about that.”
Dr. Reinhard Rauball, the 1st DFB Vice-President and delegation leader of the national team, added that “German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier sat next to me and the messages he received got more tragic by the minute. It was immediately clear that, on a day like this, sport would fade into the background.”
President Hollande declares state of emergency
Unrest had already hit Paris earlier in the day. Germany’s team hotel was evacuated due to a bomb scare – an event which undoubtedly unsettled those affected. However, the drama that took place that evening was much greater and ultimately much more tragic.
The players and the 80,000 spectators in the sold out Stade de France got a sense that something was up soon after the game started. Two loud explosions were heard during the first half of the match. Joachim Löw’s mind made connections instantly: “I obviously thought about the bomb threat when I heard the bang. Every one of us on the bench thought about it, as we had all been left shocked earlier in the day already. When I heard it, I could picture what had just happened.”
It wasn’t clear at this point just what was going on in Paris, however, terrifying new updates were constantly coming in. During the night, France’s President François Hollande explained that the attacks were the largest ones to take place on French soil. He issued an immediate state of emergency and 1,500 additional soldiers were mobilised in order to prevent any further atrocities from taking place.
Bierhoff: "There was a lot of uncertainty in the changing room"
There was also a state of emergency at the Stade de France. After the game was over, the players didn’t leave the stadium and many were sat in the dressing rooms trying to get in contact with their family and friends by any means necessary. General manager Oliver Bierhoff explained the situation: “There was a lot of uncertainty in the changing room, dread and an overall strange atmosphere. You could tell how shocked the players were.”
Seconds turned to minutes and minutes turned to hours. It was becoming increasingly apparent that the DFB Team needed to leave Paris as soon as possible. “After tonight’s events we want to head home,” said Bierhoff. Conversations between DFB Security Commissioner Hendrik Große Lefert, Oliver Bierhoff, Dr. Rainer Koch, Dr. Reinhard Rauball, Treasurer Reinhard Grindel and the French and German security forces lasted long into the night. Risk assessments were continually taking place and being updated as the night progressed.
Three decisions were made soon after. Firstly, it was established that no one would be returning to the hotel – instead they would spend the night in the stadium. Mattresses were brought in. Some players managed to fall asleep but a number of them stayed up to discuss what was going on. The second decision established that the group would leave the French capital on Saturday. Finally, it was decided that they wouldn’t be directly travelling to Hannover, where Die Mannschaft are due to face the Netherlands on Tuesday in a friendly. Instead, they flew to Frankfurt. From there, the players headed home. It’s not yet clear whether this week’s match will take place or not.
