While it’s not as bitter as some of the other rivalries in international soccer, one of the sport’s most entertaining rivalries is between Germany and France. Of course, some things are far more important than sports. That was on display during the aftermath of the game between the two sides on the day of the terrorist attacks on Paris.
By now, we have learned that one of the people responsible for the attacks attempted to get into the match, but was stopped because his bomb vest was identified at the security gate. You could also hear a bomb going off nearby during the match.
This is terrifying to think about for a million different reasons – there were tens of thousands of people inside Stade de France for the match. The pitch ended up being used as an area where spectators were allowed to stay until it was safe to leave, while the German team was stuck at the stadium. In fact, after being advised that going back to their hotel wasn’t safe, Die Mannschaft stayed in the stadium overnight.
According to The Guardian, the French team decided to show its support for the German squad and also stayed in Stade de France overnight.
Germany’s acting FA president, Reinhard Rauball, has praised France’s players for an “outstanding gesture of camaraderie” after they refused to leave the Stade de France on Friday night in a show of solidarity with their opponents.
Both sets of players spent much of the night on mattresses in the stadium after Germany were advised not to return to their team hotel following the terrorist attacks across Paris. “The French said that they were staying as long as Germany had to stay,” said Rauball.
It’s admirable that the French team decided to show solidarity with its opponent in the face of tragedy. The German team ended up flying home on Saturday.
(via The Guardian)
