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Tag: Germany

  • Germany set unwanted record in Loss to Netherlands

    Germany set unwanted record in Loss to Netherlands

    Germany have now failed to score in three straight competitive games for the first time in their history following their 3-0 defeat to the Netherlands on Saturday.
    Virgil van Dijk, Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum all scored as the home side cruised to an easy Uefa Nations League win at Amsterdam Arena.
    It was a result that dented a record-setting day for Joachim Low, who claimed the record for most ever matches in charge of Germany.
    It was also the first time that Netherlands have defeated Germany by a margin of three or more goals.
    The last goal Germany scored in a competitive match was Toni Kroos’ memorable last-gasp winner against Sweden at the World Cup this summer.
    Since then, Germany fell 2-0 to South Korea to shockingly crash out of the World Cup, and then drew France 0-0 in the Nations League before Saturday’s match in Amsterdam.
    Germany did, however, manage to defeat Peru 2-1 in a friendly on September 9.
    The 2014 world champions will have a chance to avoid a fourth straight competitive game without a goal when they face France again on Tuesday in Paris.

  • Teens handed jail terms for gang rape of 13-year-old girl

    Four teenagers on Monday were handed jail terms for involvement in the gang rape of a 13-year-old girl in a wooded area in the south-western German town of Velbert.
    Eight boys aged between 14 and 17 were accused of ambushing the girl, dragging her into a wooded area and gang raping her before a passer-by intervened.
    All eight are of Bulgarian origin.
    Only six were sentenced in the regional court in Wuppertal.
    The remaining two, who absconded to Bulgaria with their families after the incident, were arrested there some time later and will face trial separately.
    A spokeswoman for the court said the main perpetrator had been handed four years and nine months in prison, while his main accomplice received a 4-year sentence.
    Two others received shorter jail terms, while the remaining two were sentenced to probation.
    Prosecutors said the evidence against the boys was overwhelming.
    It included video footage filmed on one of their mobile phones, DNA samples taken from the victim, and testimony from the woman who interrupted the crime.
    dpa/NAN

  • Klopp defends Ozil over criticism for Erdogan photo

    Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp has defended German compatriot Mesut Ozil, saying the criticism the Arsenal midfielder received for being photographed with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan was due to “absolute misinformation” and “complete nonsense.”

    Ozil also came under fire for his performance at the World Cup in Russia, where the defending champions crashed out in the group stage, as the 29-year-old quit international soccer last month over “racism and disrespect,” due to his Turkish roots.

    “This is a classic example of absolute misinformation and, of course, complete nonsense,” Klopp told German television channel Sport1.

    “In politics, little things have always been blown up and big things pushed away in order to continue.

    “Normally, intelligent people tend to hold back because it is not easy to say the right thing. I would count myself too. All those who have no idea are loud in these conversations.”

    Ozil and international team mate Ilkay Gundogan, who is also of Turkish descent and posed with Erdogan, were subjected to jeers from German fans in warm-up games before the World Cup.

    “I don’t doubt these guys, at least about their loyalty to our homeland. The difference is that they have one more thing (in their heritage)… that’s beautiful,” Klopp, who coached Manchester City’s Gundogan at their former club Borussia Dortmund, added.

    “Cultural diversity, we all thought it was cool around the (Germany-hosted) 2006 World Cup… now two guys are seduced by politically intelligent people to have a photo, and then have relatively few opportunities to say what they want 100 per cent right.

    “That’s why I find this discussion hypocritical. Bad things happened because people were not informed properly.

    “Even the media should not create a buzz around something like this every day. Just cool off and see the people behind it.”

    Reuters/NAN

  • Nigerians, third largest asylum seekers in Germany — KAS Foundation

    The Konrad Adenaeur Stiftung (KAS), a German Foundation, has revealed that Nigerians are the third largest asylum seekers in the country.

    Dr. Gerhard Wahler, Head of Department, European and International cooperation of the foundation, made this known in Abuja during the celebration of 15 years of KAS operation in Nigeria.

    Wahler explained that the lack of an enabling environment continued to make Nigerians, especially youths, seek a better life in Europe hence, embarking on illegal migration.

    He, therefore, urged the Federaal Government to boost socio-economic development and improve welfare.

    “Africa and especially Western Africa, plays a pivotal role for us in Germany; in many ways, Africa shows a lot of potential.

    “There is a new generation of entrepreneurs, digital natives and inventors that can and will shape the future of the continent.

    “On the other hand, the unprecedented population growth, the lack of economic development, increasing scarcity of land and resources, will continue to drive people away towards Europe.

    “Today, Nigerians are for example the third largest group of asylum seekers in Germany.”

    Wahler said that the prevalence of terrorist groups in the region negatively affects development in Nigeria and the African region.

    He said that the forthcoming visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Nigeria at the end of August was an important sign that Germany stands with Nigeria in countering security threats like Boko Haram.

    He said that while the challenges faced in the region were tremendous, Germany was ready to assist.

  • Racist attitude shown towards Ozil not acceptable – Erdogan

    Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has given his support to Mesut Ozil and says the “racist attitude” shown towards the player is not acceptable.

    The 29-year-old Arsenal midfielder was criticised after being photographed with Erdogan at a London event in May.

    Ozil quit the Germany national team, saying he has faced “racism and disrespect” over his Turkish roots.

    The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) also offered its “full support to Mesut Ozil and his family”.

    The TFF said in a statement: “We condemn the treatment, threats and derogatory messages that Ozil has received because of his heritage and background.

    “Every player, no matter whether they are in the public eye or not, has a right to be protected from abuse, discrimination and messages expressing hate.”

    Erdogan added: “On Monday night I spoke to Mesut. His attitude in the statement is completely patriotic.

    “It is not possible to accept this kind of racist attitude towards a young man who poured so much sweat for the German national team’s success. This cannot be tolerated.”

    In a lengthy statement released on Monday, Ozil said he received hate mail and threats and was being blamed for Germany’s disappointing group-stage exit at the World Cup.

    The third-generation Turkish-German was born in Gelsenkirchen and was a key member of his country’s 2014 World Cup-winning side.

    He has 92 caps and has been voted the national team’s player of the year five times since 2011 by fans.

    “I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose,” Ozil said. “I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement, but now I don’t.”

    BBC

  • Ozil retires from international football feeling ‘unwanted’

    Ozil retires from international football feeling ‘unwanted’

    Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil announced his retirement from international football with immediate effect on Sunday.

    This was after hitting out at what he perceived to be unfair discrimination surrounding his meeting with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan in May.

    Ozil, 29, was part of the Germany squad that exited the World Cup in Russia at the group stage and was the target of criticism for his performances as well as his meeting with Erdogan who has been accused of human rights abuses.

    The Arsenal playmaker has Turkish ancestry and defended his actions in a lengthy statement, the first time he has publicly addressed the matter.

    “For me, having a picture with President Erdogan wasn’t about politics or elections, it was about me respecting the highest office of my family’s country,” Ozil said in a statement on Twitter.

    “My job is a football player and not a politician, and our meeting was not an endorsement of any policies.

    The treatment I have received from the DFB (German Football Association) and many others makes me no longer want to wear the German national team shirt,” Ozil added.

    “I feel unwanted and think what I have achieved since my international debut in 2009 has been forgotten.

    “People with racially discriminative backgrounds should not be allowed to work in the largest football federation in the world that has players from dual-heritage families.

    “Attitudes like theirs simply do not reflect the players they supposedly represent.

    “It is with a heavy heart and after much consideration that because of recent events, I will no longer be playing for Germany at international level whilst I have this feeling of racism and disrespect,” he added.

    “I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement, but now I don’t.”

  • Neuer to be Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper despite fitness issue

    Manuel Neuer will be Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper if he makes Joachim Low’s World Cup squad, despite not having played since September.

    Bayern Munich’s Neuer, 32, missed almost the entire season after breaking his foot and undergoing surgery.

    Head coach Low picked four goalkeepers in his 27-man preliminary squad, which he will cut to a final 23 on Monday.

    “Manuel will go to the World Cup as our number one,” said Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff.

    “If he makes the squad then Marc-Andre [ter Stegen] will be number two.

    “Manuel is already full on track. He does not need to get back on it.”

    Germany are in Group F with Mexico, Sweden and South Korea, and play their first match on Sunday, 17 June.

  • Russia 2018 : Germany players banned from sex, using social media

    Germany coach, Joachim Low, has banned his players from having sex during this summer’s World Cup.

    Low does not want the players’ partners ruining his preparations in Russia, with players forced to ask for special permission to see their other halves and even their children.

    But they will be banned from such contact during the tournament.

    Social media will also be prohibited for the likes of Mesut Ozil, Leroy Sane, Thomas Muller and Marco Reus.

    According to Gazetta dello Sport, Low will however allow the holders to drink, to help boost team spirits, with the boss insisting: “The team is more important than the ego.”

    Germany have started their preparations for the World Cup by training in South Tyrol, in north-east Italy this week.

    Manuel Neuer is fighting for fitness ahead of the tournament after only managing four appearances for Bayern Munich last season due to a metatarsal injury.

    Neuer has been involved in session with Bernd Leno, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Kevin Trapp and is battling the trio for three goalkeeper places on the plane.

    “I’m in good shape,” Neuer, who will play 45 minutes next week, said after training.

    “I think the coaches are very happy, the fitness coaches, too. They’ve got me in great condition. I’m not holding back, that’d be bad advice for a goalkeeper.”

    They open their friendlies with a clash with Austria on Saturday before taking on Saudi Arabia a week on Friday.

    Germany are in Group F with Mexico, South Korea and Sweden – getting their campaign off and running against the Mexicans on June 17.

  • Manuel Neuer to return for Germany against Austria

    Bayern Munich Goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer will make his return to action in Germany’s pre-World Cup friendly match with Austria on Saturday, goalkeeping coach Andreas Koepke has said.

    “As it stands, Manuel will play,” Koepke told journalists Tuesday at the team training camp in Eppan, Italy. “This is a real test. These are the games he needs.”

    Neuer, 32, missed the majority of the season for Bayern Munich with a broken foot and has not played for Germany since October 2016. He did play 30 minutes in a Monday training game, however, as Germany routed their under-20 side 7-1.

    Coach Joachim Loew has given his number one and captain every chance to prove his fitness for the World Cup in Russia, which starts June 14, but must submit his final 23-man squad to governing body FIFA on Monday – meaning the Austria fixture in Klagenfurt is crucial for Neuer.

    “Afterwards we have to use our instinct with Manuel, if it’s a go or not,” said Koepke.

    Meanwhile, forwards Mario Gomez and Leroy Sane had differing days as the latter led his team to victory in a small training tournament while the former had to do regeneration work.

    Gomez, 32, trained away from the rest of the group as did defender Jerome Boateng as he continues his recovery from a thigh injury.

    Sane on the other hand twice scored the only goal in two ‘final’ games as his Blue Team won a six-a-side competition.

    Mats Hummels led the White Team, defeated in the final while Thomas Mueller, in a team with Neuer, was tournament top scorer with three goals.

    dpa

  • German city announces ban on diesel vehicles

    Hamburg will become the first German city to impose a partial ban on diesel vehicles as part of the country’s much-debated move to improve air quality.

    The port city is set to block portions of two streets for older diesel cars and trucks from May 31, the local environmental agency said.

    Pressure has been building on major German cities to improve their air quality, and diesel vehicles have been a key target of the authorities due to their nitrogen oxide emissions.

    The reputation of diesel cars took a further hit in 2015 when car giant Volkswagen admitted it had installed software in its diesel vehicles that cheated emissions tests.

    All diesel vehicles that do not meet the Euro-6 emissions standards will be affected by the Hamburg ban.

    Less than a third of the diesel vehicles registered in the city at the beginning of the year meet the standard, the Federal Motor Transport Authority said.

    The are exceptions to the ban however: in one of the streets affected, emergency vehicles, residents and visitors, rubbish trucks, delivery vans and taxis can all use the road.

    Signs marking the restrictions and diversions have been put in the place over recent weeks in the Altona-Nord district.

    The long-expected diesel bans have been closely-watched in Germany as they could carry consequences for the country’s large carmaking industry, which has relied greatly on diesel-powered vehicles.

    After a long-running legal battle, cities were given the green-light to impose diesel bans by a Constitutional Court decision in February.

    dpa