Informall meetings between international athletes – that’s one of the things that make Olympic Games such a special, incomparable event. Fatmire “Lira” Bajramaj and Celia Okoyino da Mbabi ernjoyed such an unforgettable moment on Sunday. The two German national players met AC Milano’s Brazilian midfielder Ronaldinho.
The short encounter just prior to the practice session of the German team in Shenyang was a meeting of World Champions, as Ronaldinho led Brazil to the 2002 title, while the German women won the FIFA World Cup in China last year. Now, Brazil’s men and Germany’s women’s team are aiming high at the Olympics.
“It was very exciting to meet him in person, as Ronaldinho and Zidane have always been my idols”, said Fatmire Bajramaj, who plays for FCR 2001 Duisburg in the German women’s league. The Brazil team, coached by Carlos Dunga, had used the same practice pitch at the Tiexi Sports Center on Sunday. Some of Germany’s national players followed the Brazilian practice session with gaping mouths. “What he can do with the ball is simply unreal”, said Bajramaj, who also praised Ronaldinho’s unpretentious demeanor: “He even waited for us so that we could take a picture. He seems to be just a great guy”, said Bajramaj.
In a rematch of last year’s World Cup final, the German women meet Brazil in the opening game of the Olympic women’s tournament on Wednesday (11 A.M., live on ZDF).
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Informall meetings between international athletes – that’s one of the things that make Olympic Games such a special, incomparable event. Fatmire “Lira” Bajramaj and Celia Okoyino da Mbabi ernjoyed such an unforgettable moment on Sunday. The two German national players met AC Milano’s Brazilian midfielder Ronaldinho.
The short encounter just prior to the practice session of the German team in Shenyang was a meeting of World Champions, as Ronaldinho led Brazil to the 2002 title, while the German women won the FIFA World Cup in China last year. Now, Brazil’s men and Germany’s women’s team are aiming high at the Olympics.
“It was very exciting to meet him in person, as Ronaldinho and Zidane have always been my idols”, said Fatmire Bajramaj, who plays for FCR 2001 Duisburg in the German women’s league. The Brazil team, coached by Carlos Dunga, had used the same practice pitch at the Tiexi Sports Center on Sunday. Some of Germany’s national players followed the Brazilian practice session with gaping mouths. “What he can do with the ball is simply unreal”, said Bajramaj, who also praised Ronaldinho’s unpretentious demeanor: “He even waited for us so that we could take a picture. He seems to be just a great guy”, said Bajramaj.
In a rematch of last year’s World Cup final, the German women meet Brazil in the opening game of the Olympic women’s tournament on Wednesday (11 A.M., live on ZDF).
