German team cook Holger Stromberg says he has to battle a few dietary superstitions as he looks to do his bit to turn Die Mannschaft into a lean Euro 2012 winning machine.
Some swear by traditional schnitzel or escalope, some like sweets, others swear by ... rice pudding.
“Schnitzel — that would be like a reward — so only after the final,” joked Stromberg, while accepting that a little variety does no harm as “players are energy machines and burn off calories quickly.” He told Berliner Zeitung daily that “one player told me in all seriousness the reason we didn’t win the 2006 World Cup was because the day before the semi-final against Italy (Italy won 2-0) there was no rice pudding. I try to keep such superstitions to a minimum.” Noting two players — whom he did not name — had a soft spot for chewy bear-shaped candies or Gummibaerchen, he admitted he prefers it if players do not eat sweets on the side.
“(Doing that) in secret wouldn’t be so good — but then they’re not in prison here!”
Historic provocations
German Chancellor Angela Merkel was set to attend Germany’s game with Greece with politics and sport, to say nothing of economics, set to mix as never before.
Merkel has been a big fan of Die Mannschaft since tagging along to games on home soil at the 2006 World Cup and her entourage say she was going to come to a game at Euro 2012, come what may — whoever the opponents.
But with Greece’s debt crisis, rather than team tactics, the subject on everybody’s lips there are those who wonder if she might diplomatically have left her visit until later — assuming the Germans make it through.
With Merkel in the vanguard of those demanding the Greeks get their financial house in order, Britain’s Daily Telegraph mused her arrival “could be seen as the greatest act of provocation against the Greeks since the abduction of Helen of Troy.” No-one needs reminding that the Greeks ultimately won that contest.
We beat you once — sort of
Greece have never beaten three-times world and European champions Germany in eight previous meetings.
The Greeks did manage three draws — including at Euro ‘80 — to show they were no pushovers even in those days.
Germany have never lost a European Championship quarterfinal.
But the Greeks do know what it is like to send German opponents packing. For what it’s worth, they twice recorded wins against the defunct East Germany.
