Germany's War of Words and it's only Football

[ladyDeWint]

Just when you thought it was time to forgive and forget, Germany mounted a war of words on England's football hopes today.

In the xenophobic equivalent of creeping out at dawn to put their beach towels on our sunloungers, they got their jibes in first as our boys prepared to do battle in South Africa on Sunday.

They suggested our goalkeepers were 'nincompoops', and cited Adolf Hitler among the 'prominent Germans' who have always troubled England. Then they shamelessly boasted that they'd nicked our hotel.

The unprovoked attack broke a fragile truce between the two countries, aimed at trying to avoid some of the 'Achtung! Surrender!' style headlines that blighted Euro '96.

So there we were, trying to keep things dignified (albeit with a couple of exceptions) - when the enemy's biggest newspaper devoted an entire page to an anti-English rant. Bild ridiculed our players with a savagely sauerkraut analysis of why the Fatherland will win the crucial match.

Why, they even singled out Wayne Rooney, our proud ambassador abroad, as the primary reason we will fail. 'England, we will thrash you!', read the headline. How come? 'Because Rooney can’t score!', it crowed. 'The only thing he has managed to hit in this tournament is the goalpost. The pressure is too great for Rooney.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldne ... z0rt6nPoxF

[Barryoneoff]

I'm afraid I can understand their point of view now. Realising what a German in this country has had to put up with for years. You would be surprised how upsetting it is having had to constantly listen to two world wars and one world cup shoved down their throats.
I admit that I was one of those that did it, but after seeing how upset my German friend was on Wednesday, and having it explained to me, I can sympathise. She was so upset that once again it's E v G, and knew the flack would be flying from then till Sunday. OK I'm in a minority now, because I have a really good friend who happens to be German, but it has made me think quite a bit.

[ladyDeWint]

and cited Adolf Hitler among the 'prominent Germans' who have always troubled England

That is taking it beyond the usual football chanting.

[Barryoneoff]

...and "two world wars and one world cup, doo dah, doo dah" isn't?

[ladyDeWint]

not really because that is usually chanted by non thinking football fans whereas the other is from a supposedly reputable newspaper...........a little difference I think.

[tabbynera]

I have been living next to the Germans for the last 44 years and have quite a few colleagues there, also from my work days. I never had a problem, really never. I know my opinion is considered as a foreigner talking about something she doesn't realise, but I see the countries from both sides now. I have watched english documentaries about the war, I have watched German documentaries about the war. I just wish that the media would not stir stuff up with their jibe remarks and cracks. It always seems to start when it is a sports event. Perhaps you now see my side a bit Barry. I can understand your German friend. It is a shame.

[ladyDeWint]

Let me get this right.......when we do it it's wrong when it's done against us it's right......

[tabbynera]

I see it like it is done on both sides. So there is no loser or winner, no right or wrong. It equals out. I perhaps have the advantage to be able to read the english newspapers and the german ones. It now happens that an english newspaper has picked it up from a German newspaper - perhaps Das Bild, I don't know, but that would be a German newspaper from the lowest step. A German newspaper might pick something up from The Sun. this isn't a competition to see who can slander who, this is the way things are in the world of media unfortunately. I still havn't forgotten the burning of the cuckoo clocks by an english newspaper when a Swiss referee made a mistake and went against the english in an important football match. I am sure the referee's divorced wife also hasn't forgotten the day when she was besieged by english newspaper reporters on her doorstep. For me this has nothing to do with being for the english or for the germans. I just don't base my opinions on journalism.

[ladyDeWint]

Good Grief it's only a game. I don't remember the burning of cuckoo clocks, sure it wasn't an urban myth.

[tabbynera]

No it was definitely not an urban myth. I know, hardly believable isn't it. I remember it very well, as I happened to see it from the Swiss side. Of course it is only a game, that is what I thought at the time, but many didn't. It was discussed on this forum, it was the world cup 2006 I think or might even have been the European cup. Shame that I find nothing on Internet at the moment, but I will search until I do. I know what happened, I remember it very well,

[tabbynera]

No urban myth unfortunately - I just couldn't find the archive of the Sun newspaper with the report and photo of the burning of the cuckoo clocks. Shame really, but in any case it is only a game. I found at the time that many others thought differently, especially the football fans.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3853533.stm
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Death+threat+for+Swiss+referee.-a0118818724

[Barryoneoff]

Well whatever; but I have certainly changed my views lately, after listening to a German living in London.

[ladyDeWint]

I just couldn't find the archive of the Sun newspaper with the report and photo of the burning of the cuckoo clocks.

So it was supposedly just the Sun, well no-one believes half of what that rag says just ask the people of Liverpool, I thought there were cases of cuckoo clocks being ripped of walls and burnt on village greens, and yes Tabby football is only a game what else would you call it but unfortunately some people of ALL countries take it far too seriously.

[tabbynera]

I can see the photo now in my mind, but can no longer find it on internet. there is an epilogue, although probably not known in england. As it was in german from a Swiss journalist, and as you say it is only a game, I just couldn't be bothered any more. I didn't even join in the discussion here then as there were too many football fans around at the time licking blood. Anyhow believe it or not, but a Swiss reporter went to England and visited the sun offices. Of course, all for the sake of a good publicity for his Swiss newspaper. He brought with him a bottle of Swiss wine and some Swiss Bundnerfleisch (dried meat from the mountains - speciality) and asked the reporter what the idea was with the campaign gainst the referee. the answer was it is summer, not much news around, and it sold a few more newspapers. I do remember that. It was of course all organised by the Sun. I mean anyone can organise a few cuckoo clocks and make a bonfire and take a photo. I do remember at the time I think I made a posting saying how stupid the whole thing was because cuckoo clocks originate in South germany. but it was not so important. England had lost a match.

Now I can complain about the evil Soudi Arabian referee that send Vallon Behrami off the pitch in a Swiss match (he plays for West Ham), but that is also history. Switzerland are now on their way home after losing and not qualifying. That's life - at least football life. I rest my case and look forward to the match tomorrow, regardless of whatever a newspaper says. My son has fished out his england shirt and will be wearing it somewhere in the town where he now lives in his billard club as he watches the match. Now that could really be a bit dodgy if there are some German fans around, which is quite likely.

[Terry]

Well whatever; but I have certainly changed my views lately, after listening to a German living in London.

The East End survived the Blitz and you call yourself a proud Eastender but still post crap like this, ask your German mate
a few questions and put her answers on here.
Ask her how she feels about all the millions of soldiers and ordinary people ( German and Allies ) who died in 2 World Wars
started by the Germans.
Ask her how she feels about the Holocaust and the 6 million people the Germans killed in the Death camps and the innocent children they did horrific experiments on.
You must be the ultimate hypocrite if you can forgive and forget all they did just because you now have a German mate.