German President Christian Wulff will decorate Joachim Löw with the Federal Cross of Merit. The 51-year old Wulff, the 10th President of Germany, taking office on June 30, had travelled to South Africa to attend the game versus Uruguay as well as the World Cup final. He made the announcement to honour the coach of the German football team during a meeting with players and staff in South Africa on Sunday.
“Throughout these last few weeks, our team had handled themselves in a way, which made each player a perfect ambassador of our country. And it was Joachim Löw, who had assembled this group of players and who had to compensate for injured players. Löw has proven his coaching abilities throughout the World Cup. His importance can hardly be exaggerated”, said Wulff.
Wulff also suggested to honour the German national football team, which claimed third place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, with the “bay leaf in silver”, one of the highest deocations in Germany.
“This team successfully send a message of a diversified, cosmopoltian and very likeable Germany throughout the world. Everybody contributed, from Boateng to Özil, from Schweinsteiger to Lahm. It was an impressive effort”, said Wulff, who went on to praise the character of the team, including their fairness in accepting the defeat by the World Champions Spain in the semifinal.
Saying thanks to South Africa
“Finishing third makes us proud, the team showed a commendable effort. They are well-established among the world’s elite teams. Many young players have a migrant background, they have also amassed a huge match experience at such a young age. I expect us to be very competitive for years to come”, said Dr. Theo Zwanziger, the President of the German Football Association.
Löw thanked his players, “who had to overcome so many setbacks during these last few months. We played like champions, but did not succeed in fulfilling our biggest dream.” Löw also praised South Africa: “Everywhere we went, South Africans welcomed us with amiability, cheerfullness and heartiness.”
