Jochen Leisenheimer is the only member of Germany’s Fan Club powered by Coca-Cola who lives in Argentina. The 53-year-old travelled to neighbouring Brazil for the World Cup. He supported the Germany team there throughout the tournament and celebrated their success in Rio. After returning to home there were a few arguments – with his young daughter.
Upset faces, annoyed expressions, disappointed words and blue and white striped kits. Jochen Leisenheimer’s homecoming after the World Cup contrasted hugely with events in Berlin. He wasn’t celebrating alongside thousands in the capital, but rather came home to one disappointed person: Maia, his 9-year-old daughter.
“She is both German and Argentine, however, she supports Argentina’s football team,” explained her father. He has lived there since 2000 and met his wife. Mother, daughter and the rest of the Argentinian side of the family watched the World Cup final in Bueno Aires on TV. All in Albiceleste kits.
Understandably, the youngster was disappointed with the result. However, it was nothing that a few well-chosen words couldn’t fix. Her quick thinking father managed to cushion the blow: “Remember, you also have a German passport.” In other words: You are also a World Champion.
Further diplomacy was unnecessary for Leisenheimer. Despite the obvious disappointment of losing the Final, many praised the performance of the Germans. “The games between Germany and Argentina are a big deal here – a Clásico even. The games are always a big deal. There’s always banter but never anything serious. The relationship between the two sets of fans is a good one,” he explained.
Leisenheimer doesn’t feel it his job to represent or defend German football in his adopted home land. “I’m not an ambassador,” said the businessman, who specialises in imports and sales. He added that the Argentine fans are “very knowledgeable,” which can lead to some “intelligent conversations.”
That means: “I don’t have to do much convincing.” Germany’s national team do most of the work for him. “Currently German football is attractive and worth watching,” he said. “The 2006 World Cup was where it changed. The style of play established by Jürgen Klinsmann at the tournament has since been further developed by Joachim Löw.”
Once he’s let off the lead, he raves about the team: “Götze is fantastic. So is Özil. Neuer is sensational – his performance against Algeria was incredible. I like Klose. In fact, I just like the whole team. And the organised style of play that the head coach has introduced.” It’s fair to say that he has a lot to say when he speaks with the Argentines about football.
Jochen Leisenheimer travelled to the World Cup Final in Rio. “We experienced everything together. The game was incredible, but so was the atmosphere. We travelled amongst the masses. There were at least 100,000 Argentinians in Rio. The hour before kick-off was incredible.”
Leisenheimer certainly has a lot of experience following Germany across the globe. Since 1991 he has worked abroad – living in Mexico, Venezuela and Chile. Despite this he attends as many World Cups as possible. He was there in Mexico, Italy, the USA and France. He had a ticket for the 2010 World Cup Final but gave it up once Germany were knocked out. He attended his first live international during the 1974 World Cup: the 4-2 win over Sweden in Düsseldorf – a confirmation present.
Jochen Leisenheimer is the only member of Germany’s Fan Club powered by Coca-Cola who lives in Argentina. The 53-year-old travelled to neighbouring Brazil for the World Cup. He supported the Germany team there throughout the tournament and celebrated their success in Rio. After returning to home there were a few arguments – with his young daughter.
Upset faces, annoyed expressions, disappointed words and blue and white striped kits. Jochen Leisenheimer’s homecoming after the World Cup contrasted hugely with events in Berlin. He wasn’t celebrating alongside thousands in the capital, but rather came home to one disappointed person: Maia, his 9-year-old daughter.
“She is both German and Argentine, however, she supports Argentina’s football team,” explained her father. He has lived there since 2000 and met his wife. Mother, daughter and the rest of the Argentinian side of the family watched the World Cup final in Bueno Aires on TV. All in Albiceleste kits.
Understandably, the youngster was disappointed with the result. However, it was nothing that a few well-chosen words couldn’t fix. Her quick thinking father managed to cushion the blow: “Remember, you also have a German passport.” In other words: You are also a World Champion.
Further diplomacy was unnecessary for Leisenheimer. Despite the obvious disappointment of losing the Final, many praised the performance of the Germans. “The games between Germany and Argentina are a big deal here – a Clásico even. The games are always a big deal. There’s always banter but never anything serious. The relationship between the two sets of fans is a good one,” he explained.
Leisenheimer doesn’t feel it his job to represent or defend German football in his adopted home land. “I’m not an ambassador,” said the businessman, who specialises in imports and sales. He added that the Argentine fans are “very knowledgeable,” which can lead to some “intelligent conversations.”
That means: “I don’t have to do much convincing.” Germany’s national team do most of the work for him. “Currently German football is attractive and worth watching,” he said. “The 2006 World Cup was where it changed. The style of play established by Jürgen Klinsmann at the tournament has since been further developed by Joachim Löw.”
Once he’s let off the lead, he raves about the team: “Götze is fantastic. So is Özil. Neuer is sensational – his performance against Algeria was incredible. I like Klose. In fact, I just like the whole team. And the organised style of play that the head coach has introduced.” It’s fair to say that he has a lot to say when he speaks with the Argentines about football.
Jochen Leisenheimer travelled to the World Cup Final in Rio. “We experienced everything together. The game was incredible, but so was the atmosphere. We travelled amongst the masses. There were at least 100,000 Argentinians in Rio. The hour before kick-off was incredible.”
Leisenheimer certainly has a lot of experience following Germany across the globe. Since 1991 he has worked abroad – living in Mexico, Venezuela and Chile. Despite this he attends as many World Cups as possible. He was there in Mexico, Italy, the USA and France. He had a ticket for the 2010 World Cup Final but gave it up once Germany were knocked out. He attended his first live international during the 1974 World Cup: the 4-2 win over Sweden in Düsseldorf – a confirmation present.
A gift from the heavens came in the shape of advice from an acquaintance during the World Cup. Jochen Leisenheimer was unsure how we could get from Rio, which hosted the quarter-final, to Belo Horizonte, where Germany’s semi against Brazil took place. The solution: To get in contact with the Fan Club. Another member got in touch and managed to help him get to the game – “I was very happy.”
Consequently he was able to use his Follow-Your-Team-Ticket, which he was in possession of since the last 16. He was unaware that his seat for the semi-final would see him sat near Giovane Elber. “He was supporting Germany, but his daughter was backing Brazil,” Leisenheimer explained. It was a situation he’d soon be facing himself. However, the good mood brought about by beating Brazil 7-1 in a World Cup semi or winning the final, can be used to solve issues like this. In Bueno Aires and across the globe.
