Germany's WAGS dazzle at World Cup film premiere
The German national team and their glamorous WAGs were out in full force at last week’s premiere for ‘Die Mannschaft’, a film that went behind the scenes of the team’s World Cup victory.
The film revealed some of the more intimate details from the side’s World Cup success in Brazil in the summer.
Players, coaching staff, football emissaries and invited guests gathered at a glitzy arena in Berlin to see the film.
Germany star Thomas Muller arrived with his wife, Lisa, along with Sami Khedira and his wife Lena Gerke.
Mats Hummels took his girlfriend Cathy Fischer to the premiere and Mario Gotze lit up the stage with his partner Ann-Kathrin Broemme.
The film revealed poignant and funny behind-the-scene details that helped contribute to Germany’s fourth World Cup win.
One such detail was seeing Germany’s top scorer at the tournament, Thomas Muller, dressed in a ‘dirndl’ - a traditional women’s dress - after losing a bet with the team’s physio.
There were clips showing inspirational pre-match team-talks from coach Joachim Low and captain Philipp Lahm.
Besides Muller’s hilarious lost bet, there was midfielder Christoph Kramer singing Ronan Keating’s song “When You Say Nothing At All”at an initiation ceremony and Per Mertesacker and Shkodran Mustafi ‘dad dancing’ after their final victory.
As Mertesacker says, the film ‘showed the team was not just alive on the pitch, but off it as well.’
Germany saw off Argentina 1-0 at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro thanks to Mario Gotze’s extra-time strike.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M754t4wF88A]
England and Man United star Wayne Rooney returned to his first school last week to celebrate his 100th cap for the national side.
Sir Bobby Charlton presented the 29-year-old forward with a golden cap before the squad’s Slovenia match last weekend as part of the tradition.
To mark the occasion, Rooney paid a visit to Our Lady and St Swithin’s Catholic Primary School, where he was joined by 99 children.
It was in this school, in the working-class Croxteth area of Liverpool, that the player’s dreams of becoming a top footballer took flight.
It was also where he recalled kicking a ball on a yard that ‘felt as big as three pitches’.
Rooney became England’s ninth player to hit 100 caps when he led the team out against Slovenia at Wembley last Saturday.
As he walked into the hall, Manchester United’s captain was given a deafening round of applause.
“It was very special to come back to the school I went to as a young boy,’ said Rooney. ‘I saw a few former teachers who were here when I was and it was great to see the kids so delighted. This is where I started kicking a ball around.”
“All the young kids here have dreams. All the young lads grow up wanting to be footballers. They love the sport. I was the same when I was here. I just wanted to be a professional footballer and I have managed to do that. So to captain my country and be closing in on 100 caps is special.
“It’s great for the school as well. I’m really proud of where I come from and it’s great that I can come back to the area. They all know I play for Manchester United and hopefully they are proud of what I have done in my career. Hopefully it inspires them.”
