The German national team were welcomed with a triumphant and unforgettable reception in Berlin upon their return from the World Cup in Brazil. Around one million overjoyed fans witnessed their heroes’ arrival, lining the streets all the way to the 'fan mile' at the Brandenburg Gate, where a unique title-winning party took place. The team landed at Berlin Tegel airport at 10:08 on charter flight LH2014, which had the word "Siegerflieger" (champions' plane) painted on the side.
Approximately 1000 cheering fans were present on the viewing platform at the airport to receive the players after pilot Uwe Strohdeicher flew the plane at an altitude of just 600 metres over the fan mile shortly before landing. Captain Philipp Lahm was the first to emerge from the plane with the World Cup trophy in his hands, and he was followed by Bastian Schweinsteiger, who had a Germany flag draped over his shoulders.
"In the plane we caught up on some sleep from the previous night," said Schweinsteiger. "That really helped, although Thomas Müller was sitting behind me and he's never quiet. He also slept well though." Müller himself promised the crowd waiting in the city centre that: "We're going to give everything and run at least as much as we did in the games."
"Unbelievable welcome"
The players, sporting t-shirts with number 1 printed on them, first boarded a black coach and then an open-topped bus with "Champions" and "1954, 1974, 1990, 2014!" adorning the sides, as well as four stars. The streets were so crammed that the bus was unable to move forwards at times, but once they reached the Brandenburg Gate the celebrations soon got into full swing. Mario Götze, scorer of the winning goal in the final, tweeted: "Wow, this is incredible! Amazing." Berlin native Jérome Boateng summed it up by saying: "Berlin!!!! Wow!!!"
At around 12:30 the Germany squad arrived at the Brandenburg Gate, where approximately half a million fans were waiting for them. "It'll take a couple of days for this all to sink in," Schweinsteiger told ARD. "We're really enjoying this moment. It's unbelievable how the fans in Berlin have welcomed us. It's something I'm not used to in Munich."
Löw: "We’re all world champions"
The President of the German Football Association, Wolfgang Niersbach, who had arrived at the Brandenburg Gate ahead of the rest of the party, told ARD: "It's a dream to experience so much enthusiasm. I don't know if there's anything that can create a greater sense of togetherness in our country than this World Cup. Our players are absolutely delighted to be enjoying this moment. We're happy to be part of it today too."
At 13:03 the coaching staff got the celebrations underway by taking to the stage, where they each kicked a ball into the crowd, who performed a Mexican wave. "It was a long and incredibly difficult path [to winning the World Cup]," said Germany coach Joachim Löw. "But I had the feeling that we wanted to win it at all costs. We're all world champions!"
Subsequently the players appeared on stage in the groups they had shared their apartment-like accommodation with throughout the tournament. "It's extraordinary," said Lukas Podolski, who wore a flag bearing the Cologne city crest, of the atmosphere on 17 Juni Straße. Meanwhile Boateng, Miroslav Klose, Mario Götze and Co fired up the crowd.
Top of the world
"We're the best in the world," said goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, while Schalke's Julian Draxler sang a song in which he teased Borussia Dortmund's Kevin Großkreutz about the tabloid headlines he had generated in an incident involving a kebab. "We've been here a few times and it's always been amazing," said Schweinsteiger. "But this time we've got the trophy. Thank you for all your support."
The group including Lahm, Thomas Müller and Mats Hummels were the last on stage and they presented the trophy with an elaborately choreographed routine before leading the masses in a rendition of the "Humba" chant. The players then honoured the efforts of the backroom staff by kneeling down before them. Following a performance by pop star Helene Fischer the squad unveiled one final surprise: they unrolled a placard bearing the words: "Obrigado Fans. Now we've got a fourth star." Obrigado Germany!
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The German national team were welcomed with a triumphant and unforgettable reception in Berlin upon their return from the World Cup in Brazil. Around one million overjoyed fans witnessed their heroes’ arrival, lining the streets all the way to the 'fan mile' at the Brandenburg Gate, where a unique title-winning party took place. The team landed at Berlin Tegel airport at 10:08 on charter flight LH2014, which had the word "Siegerflieger" (champions' plane) painted on the side.
Approximately 1000 cheering fans were present on the viewing platform at the airport to receive the players after pilot Uwe Strohdeicher flew the plane at an altitude of just 600 metres over the fan mile shortly before landing. Captain Philipp Lahm was the first to emerge from the plane with the World Cup trophy in his hands, and he was followed by Bastian Schweinsteiger, who had a Germany flag draped over his shoulders.
"In the plane we caught up on some sleep from the previous night," said Schweinsteiger. "That really helped, although Thomas Müller was sitting behind me and he's never quiet. He also slept well though." Müller himself promised the crowd waiting in the city centre that: "We're going to give everything and run at least as much as we did in the games."
"Unbelievable welcome"
The players, sporting t-shirts with number 1 printed on them, first boarded a black coach and then an open-topped bus with "Champions" and "1954, 1974, 1990, 2014!" adorning the sides, as well as four stars. The streets were so crammed that the bus was unable to move forwards at times, but once they reached the Brandenburg Gate the celebrations soon got into full swing. Mario Götze, scorer of the winning goal in the final, tweeted: "Wow, this is incredible! Amazing." Berlin native Jérome Boateng summed it up by saying: "Berlin!!!! Wow!!!"
At around 12:30 the Germany squad arrived at the Brandenburg Gate, where approximately half a million fans were waiting for them. "It'll take a couple of days for this all to sink in," Schweinsteiger told ARD. "We're really enjoying this moment. It's unbelievable how the fans in Berlin have welcomed us. It's something I'm not used to in Munich."
Löw: "We’re all world champions"
The President of the German Football Association, Wolfgang Niersbach, who had arrived at the Brandenburg Gate ahead of the rest of the party, told ARD: "It's a dream to experience so much enthusiasm. I don't know if there's anything that can create a greater sense of togetherness in our country than this World Cup. Our players are absolutely delighted to be enjoying this moment. We're happy to be part of it today too."
At 13:03 the coaching staff got the celebrations underway by taking to the stage, where they each kicked a ball into the crowd, who performed a Mexican wave. "It was a long and incredibly difficult path [to winning the World Cup]," said Germany coach Joachim Löw. "But I had the feeling that we wanted to win it at all costs. We're all world champions!"
Subsequently the players appeared on stage in the groups they had shared their apartment-like accommodation with throughout the tournament. "It's extraordinary," said Lukas Podolski, who wore a flag bearing the Cologne city crest, of the atmosphere on 17 Juni Straße. Meanwhile Boateng, Miroslav Klose, Mario Götze and Co fired up the crowd.
[bild2]Top of the world
"We're the best in the world," said goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, while Schalke's Julian Draxler sang a song in which he teased Borussia Dortmund's Kevin Großkreutz about the tabloid headlines he had generated in an incident involving a kebab. "We've been here a few times and it's always been amazing," said Schweinsteiger. "But this time we've got the trophy. Thank you for all your support."
The group including Lahm, Thomas Müller and Mats Hummels were the last on stage and they presented the trophy with an elaborately choreographed routine before leading the masses in a rendition of the "Humba" chant. The players then honoured the efforts of the backroom staff by kneeling down before them. Following a performance by pop star Helene Fischer the squad unveiled one final surprise: they unrolled a placard bearing the words: "Obrigado Fans. Now we've got a fourth star." Obrigado Germany!
