July 16 – Huge crowds turned out in Berlin to welcome home Germany’s World Cup-winning team after their fourth triumph and their first, symbolically, since re-unification between east and west.
The squad’s flight from Brazil was about an hour behind schedule, its departure from Rio de Janeiro delayed after a luggage truck hit the plane and damage to the paintwork had to be inspected.
With the crowds singing ‘Football’s Coming Home’, a ditty conceived in England for Euro 96 but quickly adopted by German fans, there were jubilant scenes as thousands lined the streets to witness the players on top of the team bus unveiling the famous trophy.
“This time, thank God, we have the cup with us,” midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger told ARD television. “It will only sink in for us in the next few days.”
Schweinsteiger is targeting further glory with Germany as he looks ahead to Euro 2016.
“This will give us hunger now, absolutely. We want to do it again at the next tournament. The important thing is that the young guys have the experience of this tournament and we will go to France and try and do it again for sure.
“It won’t be easy because we have a young team. But we have some players like Philipp Lahm, Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker who have the experience. This mix makes a big difference.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734805719labto1734805719ofdlr1734805719owedi1734805719sni@w1734805719ahsra1734805719w.wer1734805719dna1734805719