FUCK YEAH MANNSCHAFT

Ballack, you’re still our Capitano.

Michael Ballack refuses to play in Brazil friendly

In a statement which was released today, Michael Ballack responded to Jogi Löw’s announcement from yesterday. He says that he was informed about Jogi’s decision through yesterday’s press statement. “Form and meaning of this statement are sadly representative for the way the coach has treated me since my severe injury last summer.” Michael continues to say that it is hard to beat the hypocrisy when the DFB claims to have always been honest and open with him.

“To suddenly call a long since determined friendly a farewell game is a farce, in my opinion. I know that technically I owe this to my fans, but I can’t take this offer.”

Michael’s statement (German):

“Ich habe gestern im Urlaub durch eine Pressemitteilung des DFB erfahren, dass der Bundestrainer nicht mehr mit mir plant. Form und Inhalt der Nachricht überraschen und enttäuschen mich zugleich, weil sie die vom Bundestrainer mir gegenüber gemachten Aussagen in keinster Weise widerspiegeln.

Form und Inhalt der Mitteilung sind leider bezeichnend dafür, wie sich der Bundestrainer mir gegenüber seit meiner schweren Verletzung im Sommer letzten Jahres verhalten hat. Wenn jetzt so getan wird, als sei man mit mir und meiner Rolle als Kapitän der Deutschen Fußball-Nationalmannschaft jederzeit offen und ehrlich umgegangen, ist das an Scheinheiligkeit nicht zu überbieten.

Und ein längst vereinbartes Freundschaftsspiel jetzt als Abschied zu deklarieren, ist aus meiner Sicht eine Farce. Ich weiß, dass ich meinen Fans dieses Spiel eigentlich schuldig bin, aber ich kann dieses “Angebot” nicht annehmen.”

(pic l info)

Löw will not call up Ballack in the future

Jogi Löw explained the situation to the former team captain in several long conversations. The mannschaft’s coach thinks that the future belongs to the many young players which have played for the team since the World Cup.

Jogi Löw also stated that Michael was an important player for Germany and has had a significant part in the team’s success over the years.

For Jogi, it’s a given that the team will say goodbye to Michael and honestly thank him for all he’s done for German football. This is supposed to happen in the game against Brazil this August where he will play as the Mannschaft’s captain for the last time. The DFB president Theo Zwanziger said that Michael has known about this for quite a while and that he hopes, he will agree and take the offer.

(pic l info)

mannschaftpics:

Click for bigger image. It’s really huge. (and cool ;))
well, every football fan in Germany might know this but…these are stickers and you can get them when you buy chocolate bars or something, which are produced by the same company as Nutella’s. They do this campaign every World Cup and Euro year :)

Just in case some of you are wondering why some players are missing (Thomas and Holger for starters) and others are on there who weren’t called up for the World Cup: These usually come out (and have to be prepared etc.) before the official line-up is announced which is why most of it is guess work of the people producing the Duplo, Hanuta and Kinderschokolade bars which include these. :)

(via)