Advertisement

Germany hit 'for long time' by Paris attacks

AFP
AFP - [email protected]
Germany hit 'for long time' by Paris attacks
Joachim Löw at the Euro 2016 draw in Paris on December 12th. Photo: DPA

Germany coach Joachim Löw said on Tuesday his players would remain affected "for a long time" by November's Paris terror attacks, adding that it would impact their preparations for Euro 2016 in France.

Advertisement

"Each one of us carries with us the terrible events from Paris and in all likelihood will for a long time," Löw said in an interview with German public radio Bayerische Rundfunk.

"And I believe we must speak about it with the team in March, to prepare us a little and to adjust because we're playing in Paris twice during the group stage and we must not bring those bad memories with us," he said.

World champions Germany were playing France in a friendly at the Stade de France on November 13 when three suicide bombers blew themselves up outside the stadium, part of a wave of attacks across the French capital which left 130 people dead and many more injured.

Germany's subsequent friendly against the Netherlands four days later in Hanover was then cancelled because of a bomb threat.

"It took me two or three days to get back to a 'normal life'," Löw told the Bavarian radio station, adding that he had sought out family members and the German team psychologist, Hans-Dieter Hermann, to help overcome the traumatic events.

Germany, who face Ukraine in Lille on June 12 in their opening game of next summer's European Championship, will then return to Paris to take on Poland at the Stade de France on June 16 before playing Northern Ireland at the Parc des Princes five days later.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also