Bierhoff: The film shows everyone what it was like to be part of the camp. It did feel a bit like I was back in Brazil. I’ve heard that many people who watched the tournament in a big group will go also be going to watch the film together too.
DFB.de: How successful do you think the film is in showing what happened?
Bierhoff: I can only talk about things from my perspective so it may not be that objective an opinion. I’m certain that the film will be popular because it allows the supporters to witness the tournament from our perspective. It shows everything that went on during the tournament effectively. I’d like to thank everyone associated with the production of the film.
DFB.de: Was anything similar made during your playing career?
Bierhoff: When I played Sepp Maier used to record a lot. He filmed the celebrations after the Euro 1996 final at Wembley. I have a copy of the tape and it sends shivers down my spine every time I see it. Obviously the quality of Maier’s film isn’t as high as this one. Martin Christ is an incredible cameraman.
DFB.de: What’s your favourite part of the film?
Bierhoff: That’s a difficult question. The bit where Per Mertesacker is dancing whilst wearing the medal as a headband is pretty special.
DFB.de: The film premiere is over. The publishing of the photo album “One Night in Rio” is the next event.
It’s been a special few days – there have been celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall as well as the honouring of the World Cup winners. Joachim Gauck, President of Germany, awarded the Silbernen Lorbeerblatt (Silver Laurel Leaf – the highest sports award in Germany) to the players in the daytime and at the night it was the premiere of “Die Mannschaft.” Oliver Bierhoff, a member of Joachim Löw’s backroom staff, spoke to DFB.de about the summer, the ceremony and the upcoming games.
DFB.de: Mr Bierhoff, you picked up a World Cup winner’s medal. Where do you keep them?
Oliver Bierhoff: I’m not the sort of person to hang them up and make a big fuss. The medals from Euro 1996 and this summer are kept in a safe. They are precious to me so I don’t want to risk losing them. I have made sure they are all looked after properly as they remind me of some of the best times of my career. I do keep a few cup medals and some photos near me in my office. I don’t want people to feel they have visited the Oliver Bierhoff “Hall of Fame” when they come and see me.
DFB.de: You picked up another Silver Laurel Leaf from President Gauck yesterday…
Bierhoff: Exactly, I also got one in 1996, 2002, 2006 and 2010. I now have five of the leaves, so I basically have a little Silver Laurel shrub. (Laughs)
DFB.de: How was the ceremony for you?
Bierhoff: I’m sort of used to it now but it is still a big and special occasion, especially for the players. It’s still a huge honour. The ceremony was good, the President’s speech was perfect and I’m sure it will be an occasion that none of us will ever forget.
DFB.de: In the evening you then went to the premiere of “Die Mannschaft.” Did it make you feel like you were back in Brazil?
Bierhoff: The film shows everyone what it was like to be part of the camp. It did feel a bit like I was back in Brazil. I’ve heard that many people who watched the tournament in a big group will go also be going to watch the film together too.
DFB.de: How successful do you think the film is in showing what happened?
Bierhoff: I can only talk about things from my perspective so it may not be that objective an opinion. I’m certain that the film will be popular because it allows the supporters to witness the tournament from our perspective. It shows everything that went on during the tournament effectively. I’d like to thank everyone associated with the production of the film.
DFB.de: Was anything similar made during your playing career?
Bierhoff: When I played Sepp Maier used to record a lot. He filmed the celebrations after the Euro 1996 final at Wembley. I have a copy of the tape and it sends shivers down my spine every time I see it. Obviously the quality of Maier’s film isn’t as high as this one. Martin Christ is an incredible cameraman.
DFB.de: What’s your favourite part of the film?
Bierhoff: That’s a difficult question. The bit where Per Mertesacker is dancing whilst wearing the medal as a headband is pretty special.
DFB.de: The film premiere is over. The publishing of the photo album “One Night in Rio” is the next event.
Bierhoff: Exactly. It’s another thank you to the supporters. We want to give them as many possibilities as possible to remember the tournament and the special moment. The book is full of pictures taken by Paul Ripke and they are fantastic. We had seen how good his work was, so it was a logical choice to have him in Rio for the final. Everyone has worked together after the tournament to create the book and the film and I’m proud of the work that has gone into both projects as they show the fans what life in Brazil was like.
DFB.de: Has the summer’s events brought with them a hangover? The qualification matches in October didn’t go as well as expected. The World Champions face Gibraltar on Friday – how difficult is it to make the post-tournament transition?
Bierhoff: Ahead of the game on Friday it could almost be to our advantage that we’ve struggled so far as it means that every player will give 100% to ensure that we leave the pitch victorious.
DFB.de: After the game against Gibraltar there is a friendly against Spain. This game is between the former and current World Champions. How special occasion do you think it will be and do the defeats in Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010 have any significance ahead of the match?
Bierhoff: We haven’t forgotten those games, but circumstances have changed now. We are the World Champions. It’s going to be a fantastic game of football. Spain and Germany have dominated international football for the past six years so it’s going to be a huge game. Victory would allow us to successfully end a fantastic year for football in Germany.
