The Germany U21 team kick off their U21 European Championships campaign on Wednesday in the Czech Republic. Volland, ter Stegen and Co. will be focused fully on their opening game against Serbia in Prague – but some players even found the time for a school visit in the Czech capital. DFB.de was there with them.
How do you actually become a professional footballer? What did you have for breakfast today? How different is your life in comparison to your friends, who aren’t professional footballers? The Germany U21 national team players, their head coach Horst Hrubesch and DFB vice-president Ronny Zimmermann were well and truly drilled during a visit to a German school in Prague’s Jinonice. Children come up with the best and above all, the most honest of questions. An easy-going round of questions took place in a relaxed atmosphere. The players even had time for a short game against the students to conclude the day.
Actually ‘only’ three players were at the school visit: Captain Kevin Volland from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Philipp Hofmann from 1. FC Kaiserslautern and Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Julian Korb. There was a further player, who spontaneously joined the trio at lunch though. Champions League winner Marc-André ter Stegen was up for the engagement: “When I heard we were visiting a school and giving the kids joy, I wanted to be there,” said the FC Barcelona goalkeeper.
Kickabout with the kids
For the children at the German school in Prague, the VIP visit was a once in a lifetime experience. One question after the other were thrown at the Germany U21 national team players, they then had a kickabout with the stars on the pitch and finally posed for photos and autographs. Some students could barely believe their luck: “Is this really happening? A photo with my idol and myself – unbelievable!” Some children even made Volland and co. sign their skin and said: “I’m never washing again”
The U21 national team players, who worked up quite a sweat during the football game, were enthused about the school visit. “It was really fun with the kids,” said Philipp Hofmann. “Especially the kickabout together. And when you see, how happy you can make the kids, it’s just great.” Defender Julian Korb added: “It was just really cool. The students put forward some top questions. The engagement here was a lovely change for us.”
Signed shirt and gifts for school and students
A thoroughly enjoyed event for both parties – for all students and the football players. “These events are a part of it, when you appear in the public in the host country before the tournament,” said coach Hrubesch. “If you could see the enthusiasm from the children and also the head teacher and teachers too, it was really great and was a lot of fun for us.”
DFB vice-president Ronny Zimmermann handed over a signed U21 kit to the school and further smaller gifts for the students. “Thank you for a superb welcome here,” Zimmermann said. “And don’t forget something: Football isn’t everything – think about getting things done at school and you learn something.”
