On Sunday night the Germany men’s football team won a silver medal at the Olympic Games after losing to hosts Brazil on penalties in the final. It was the biggest success for the Germany men’s football team at the Olympics in history. Everything was prepared for the return of the heroes and the silver medal winners from Rio received a warm reception at the DFB headquarters.
From the team bus to the DFB headquarters
Everybody was there: the team, the coaching staff and the employees of the DFB head office. It was exactly what the team had wished for. It was a symbol of solidarity, appreciation and as the players know, a symbol of how many people made significant contributions to the success in Rio with their magnificent work in Frankfurt.
The Olympic team were taken from the airport to the reception in Frankfurt by delegates of the DFB. From there they travelled with the team bus towards Otto-Fleck-Schneise. The last stretch of the journey towards the DFB headquarters was covered by a double-decker bus belonging to the fan club of the national team. The team went past the rows of cheering people in the Otto-Fleck-Schneise after their three weeks in Brazil with the silver medals round their necks, memories of Rio in their head and a lot of emotion in their hearts.
Grindel: “The team represented the country brilliantly”
DFB President Reinhard Grindel hailed the team on the arrival to the headquarters. “We didn’t lose the gold, we have won the silver. Congratulations to the silver medal winners from Rio! You have shown that the German football association makes accomplishments at all levels. From promoting talent at grassroots level, to the achievements of our junior teams right up until the national team. You have represented the country as well as the German football association brilliantly. We would like to thank you for that!”
Then the DFB President spoke about Horst Hrubesch. “He was a great footballer, a great header of the ball and he is a man who has a great heart. He definitely proved that as a coach. He organised the team in a short space of time with outstanding competence and great interpersonal skills. Horst Hrubesch, what a great achievement, thank you!” said Grindel.
Hrubesch: “It was a joint achievement”
Hrubesch accepted the thanks and proceeded to report on the three weeks in Brazil. “It was a sensational time for us and it was also beyond our comprehension. It particularly pleased me that it really was a team effort. We got better with each match. At the end we could say that we had won the silver but for us it was gold.”
Finally Hrubesch said a few words which gave a small insight into the reasons why he accomplished more than any other coach with his team. “People always doubted me. I couldn’t dribble around players or score goals. I was a bit of a flop, both as a player and a coach. Then I started coaching for DFB. First I was nothing but now I am one of the greatest. We know the game. Like I always say to my sons: all this stuff is simply fun. We are only playing football. And when we don’t make it fun then there’s not much point to it.”
The whole thing had a purpose. And it was fun. Just like the welcome home reception at the DFB headquarters in Frankfurt. After the speeches more than two hours were spent by all laughing, celebrating and reminiscing. Silver is really a transition metal; however for this their silver medals will always retain its golden sheen.
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On Sunday night the Germany men’s football team won a silver medal at the Olympic Games after losing to hosts Brazil on penalties in the final. It was the biggest success for the Germany men’s football team at the Olympics in history. Everything was prepared for the return of the heroes and the silver medal winners from Rio received a warm reception at the DFB headquarters.
From the team bus to the DFB headquarters
Everybody was there: the team, the coaching staff and the employees of the DFB head office. It was exactly what the team had wished for. It was a symbol of solidarity, appreciation and as the players know, a symbol of how many people made significant contributions to the success in Rio with their magnificent work in Frankfurt.
The Olympic team were taken from the airport to the reception in Frankfurt by delegates of the DFB. From there they travelled with the team bus towards Otto-Fleck-Schneise. The last stretch of the journey towards the DFB headquarters was covered by a double-decker bus belonging to the fan club of the national team. The team went past the rows of cheering people in the Otto-Fleck-Schneise after their three weeks in Brazil with the silver medals round their necks, memories of Rio in their head and a lot of emotion in their hearts.
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Grindel: “The team represented the country brilliantly”
DFB President Reinhard Grindel hailed the team on the arrival to the headquarters. “We didn’t lose the gold, we have won the silver. Congratulations to the silver medal winners from Rio! You have shown that the German football association makes accomplishments at all levels. From promoting talent at grassroots level, to the achievements of our junior teams right up until the national team. You have represented the country as well as the German football association brilliantly. We would like to thank you for that!”
Then the DFB President spoke about Horst Hrubesch. “He was a great footballer, a great header of the ball and he is a man who has a great heart. He definitely proved that as a coach. He organised the team in a short space of time with outstanding competence and great interpersonal skills. Horst Hrubesch, what a great achievement, thank you!” said Grindel.
Hrubesch: “It was a joint achievement”
Hrubesch accepted the thanks and proceeded to report on the three weeks in Brazil. “It was a sensational time for us and it was also beyond our comprehension. It particularly pleased me that it really was a team effort. We got better with each match. At the end we could say that we had won the silver but for us it was gold.”
Finally Hrubesch said a few words which gave a small insight into the reasons why he accomplished more than any other coach with his team. “People always doubted me. I couldn’t dribble around players or score goals. I was a bit of a flop, both as a player and a coach. Then I started coaching for DFB. First I was nothing but now I am one of the greatest. We know the game. Like I always say to my sons: all this stuff is simply fun. We are only playing football. And when we don’t make it fun then there’s not much point to it.”
The whole thing had a purpose. And it was fun. Just like the welcome home reception at the DFB headquarters in Frankfurt. After the speeches more than two hours were spent by all laughing, celebrating and reminiscing. Silver is really a transition metal; however for this their silver medals will always retain its golden sheen.
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