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Home , Altin Lala, Amir Abrashi, Bernd Leno, Christoph Kramer, Elseid Hysaj, Emre Can

SoccerNews Issue # 6, 14th October 2015

Continental/Division Tires Alexander Bahlmann Phone: +49 511 938 2615 Head of Media & Public Relations PLT E-Mail: [email protected] The England national team with Adam Lallana celebrate Buettnerstraße 25 | 30165 Hannover www.contisoccerworld.de the conclusion of a perfect qualification in Vilnius. Photo: Imago Soccer News # 6/2015 2

News Turkey achieves a miracle by avoiding the play-offs

“We are going to the European Championship without Holland”. The favourite chant of many Ger- man football fans will certainly be heard again in German stadiums until the beginning of the 15th Hanging their heads at being knocked-out: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (2nd from left) and Bas Dost (right) after the Dutch elimination in the European Championship European Championship. qualification. Photo: Imago

It will particularly blast the ears of the Oranje great football nation. Holland failed to qualify to July 10 has not yet ended. Twenty of the and the newcomers to the finals, Albania, Ice- Elftal players during the international friendly for a European Championship finals for the 24 countries are known, with eight teams still land, Wales, Slovakia and Northern Ireland. between and the Netherlands on first time since 1984. In contrast, Turkey, with hoping to grab one of the four remaining November 17. For the 2014 World Cup bronze just ten men on the pitch after a red card, places. Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, The Dutch, the 1988 European champions, medallists, who failed to qualify, it will be the defeated Iceland 1-0 in Group A with the win- Slovenia, Hungary, Ukraine and Bosnia-Herze- were not the only former title holders who first step in a rebuilding process leading to ner scored in the 89th minute. The Turks not govina will battle it out. The four fixtures will did not make it, however. Though less no- the qualifications for the 2018 World Cup, only ascertained third place with five points be drawn in Nyon on October 18. ticed, Greece were even worse hit. The 2004 while for Germany it will be a serious test on ahead of the Dutch, but also superseded winners, who also participated at the 2014 the road to achieving their fourth European Hungary as the best among the nine third- The following 20 countries are already in World Cup finals, finished bottom in Group F, title after 1972, 1980 and 1996. placed teams and thus qualified directly for the pots for the six groups to be determined even behind the Faeroe Islands. the finals. in the draw for EURO 2016 in on De- “Dark times for Dutch football”, predicted the cember 12: France, automatically qualified as Belgium now lead the world ranking tabloid newspaper “De Telegraf” after the 3-2 The field of participants is now complete by hosts, Czech Republic, Belgium, Spain, Ger- The conclusion of the group stage of the loss to the Czech Republic in Amsterdam on more than 80 percent, but the race for the many, Poland, England, Switzerland, Romania, European Championship qualification was Tuesday, so striking the blackest hour for the great football festival next year from June 10 Austria, Russia, Italy, Croatia, Portugal, Turkey exciting. Turkey continued their catch-up race Soccer News # 6/2015 3

in Group A at Konya. After their 2-0 win in News the Czech Republic three days before, they Former European Championship finals participation also beat already qualified Iceland. Goekhan Five nations make their European Toere was sent off in the 77th minute, at a time when a defeat and a Dutch victory Albania Poland Championship debut would have buried all hopes for the Turks. But European Championships (2016 first participation) European Championships (3): 1960, 2008, 2012 a direct free-kick by Selcuk Inan secured the Six groups, 24 participants, 51 matches – the 1-0 lead against Iceland in the 89th minute. Belgium Portugal 2016 European Championship in France will This ensured direct qualification, supported European Championships (4): 1972, 1980, 1984, 2000 European Championships (6): 1984, 1996, 2000, be a tournament of superlatives. In addition by Kazakhstan celebrating their first victory 2004, 2008, 2012 to the established nations, football fans will with 1-0 in Latvia. Croatia also qualified di- Germany see numerous European Championship new rectly on Tuesday, albeit with a meagre 1-0 in European Championships (11): 1972, 1976, 1980, Romania boys during the four weeks between June 10 Malta and aided by Norway losing 2-1 in Italy. 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 European Championships (4): 1984, 1996, 2000, 2008 and July 10, due to the increase of participat- Bosnia-Herzegovina finished third behind Bel- ing teams from 16 to 24 for the first time. No gium and Wales in Group B with a 3-2 win in England Russia fewer than five nations ascertained their first Cyprus. Israel failed with a 3-1 defeat at group European Championships (8): 1968, 1980, 1988, European Championships (4): 1996, 2004, 2008, ever participation in a European Champion- winners Belgium. The qualification was linked 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2012 2012 ship finals directly without the burden of to a prestigious success for the Belgians. The play-offs – Albania, Iceland, Northern Ireland, team overtook Argentina and Germany and France Schwitzerland Slovakia and Wales. Spectators may look now leads the world rankings. European Championships (8): 1960, 1984, 1992, European Championships (3): 1996, 2004, 2008 forward to the so called small countries and 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 outsiders led by superstars. A survey: The qualification rounds recorded a great Slovakia comeback by British football. With a 3-0 Iceland European Championships (2016 first participation) Albania win in Lithuania in their last match England European Championships (2016 first participation) On Sunday evening euphoric fans gathered remained the only team to record ten wins Spain everywhere throughout Albania with motor- in ten matches. Wales and Northern Ireland Italy European Championships (10): 1960, 1964, 1980, cades, fireworks and victory dances to cel- qualified for their first ever European Cham- European Championships (8): 1968, 1980, 1988, 1984, 1988, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 ebrate their national team for their first ever pionship finals. Both teams have World Cup 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 qualification for a European Championship experience from a very long time ago. It was Czech Republic after their 3-0 victory in Armenia. The clear politically volitional that five countries will Croatia European Championships (5): 1996, 2000, 2004, win in Yerevan confirmed Albania’s second make their European Championship debut. European Championships (4): 1996, 2004, 2008, 2012 2008, 2012 position in Group I and thus a medium sensa- Thus UEFA President Michel Platini fulfilled a tion. With 14 points the country of 2.8 million promise given to the smaller national associa- Northern Ireland Turkey inhabitants ousted Denmark (12) in second tions with the increase from 16 to 24 teams European Championships (2016 first participation) European Championships (3): 1996, 2000, 2008 place to slot behind Portugal (21) in the strong for the finals. Since then the Frenchman, who group, with Serbia (4) and Armenia (2). Their led his country to the 1984 European title at Austria Wales record is not unblemished, however. Alba- home, has been banned due to the suspected European Championships (3): 1960, 1964, 2008 European Championships (2016 first participation) nia were awarded three ultimately decisive implication in the FIFA scandal and is look- points by an official decision after the match ing forward to the great football festival in his in Serbia was cancelled at 0-0 on October 14, home country with some resentment. 2014. Albanian fans, excluded from the match, Soccer News # 6/2015 4

SSC Naples and goalkeeper with Lazio Rome in Italy. Defender Mergim Mavraj earns his money with 1. FC Co- logne and with SC Freiburg in the . They are both in the squad whose assistant coach is former Hanoverian Altin Lala.

Iceland The island country inhabited by just 330,000 people mas- tered the qualification superiorly and assured their European Championship participation two rounds before the conclusion. Though the then goalless draw with Kazakhstan recorded no memorable moments it brought a fantastic conclusion, with the 15,000 witnesses in the stadium in Reykjavik celebrating the dull match in pouring rain with the team, especially captain Aron Gunnarson, who was clearly overwhelmed by the event: “It is unbelievable. I am shocked”. But since then, a month later, fans and players have realised that they really came through in the tough Group A against such established greats as the Czech Republic, Turkey and the Netherlands.

The Swede Lars Lagerbaeck and Icelander Heimir Hallgrimsson have formed a team whose defence is tough to break down. To France via Armenia: Shkelzen Gashi (left) and Albania’s national The team conceded just three goals in the eight qualifiers – and The player with possibly the best-sounding name from the European team have qualified for the European Championship finals in France. could rely on former Hoffenheim striker Gylfi Sigurdsson in the Championship qualification: Kolbeinn Sigthorsson has qualified with Photo: Getty Images attack, who scored six of the 15 Icelandic goals. The Swansea Iceland for the EURO finals. Photo: Getty Images City striker is the top star of the 23rd world ranked side. had flown a flag of Great Albania over the stadium on a drone – Rurik Gislason, a German second division legionnaire with celebrated first position ahead of Romania, Hungary, Finland, prompting provocation for the Serbs who caused riots in the 1. FC , is also in the squad. Faeroe Islands and Greece with a wink and a desire to meet stadium and the cancellation of the match. Both national asso- in the tournament “Argentina and Brazil”. Besides the striker ciations were punished by UEFA, but Albania were awarded Northern Ireland with Swansea City and of Southamp- the three points. The Britons accomplished the feat to qualify as group win- ton FC, defensive specialists Johnny Evans (West Bromwich ners for their first European Championship. Their 3-1 win Albion) and Patrick McNair (Manchester United) stood out in But on the pitch Albania convinced. The team coached by against Greece on October 8 ascertained this phenomenal the squad ranked 35th in the world. Italian Giovanni De Biasi, 55, pleased the crowds with a mix- success, and their first participation in a major tournament ture of fight and combination football. Their seven goals were for the country inhabited by 1.8 million people since 1986, Slovakia scored by seven different players. The team boasts no super- when Northern Ireland celebrated their third participation After a few narrowly missed tournaments Slovakia have now star, but the pillars of the 32nd team in the FIFA world rank- in the World Cup finals. The road to France and their first taken the opportunity with the increased numbers and quali- ings are all playing abroad: midfield strategist , ever European Championship finals was levelled off mainly fied for the first time for a European Championship finals. left forward Shkelzen Gashi and left defender Nasser Aliji all by centre forward , who scored seven goals for Given the calibre of stars such as Marek Hamsik (SSC Naples), with FC in Switzerland, right defender with the team coached by Michael O’Neill. Lafferty befittingly Martin Skrtl (Liverpool FC) and Juraj Kucka (AC Milan) their Soccer News # 6/2015 5

High after high: Northern Ireland’s national team throw coach Michael O’Neill into the air after qualifying Joy after their win in Luxembourg and their first ever qualification for the European Championships: for the European Championship. Photo: Imago Marek Hamsik (centre) and the Slovakian team. Photo: Imago qualification was not a great surprise. A Bun- Wales in the team coached by Chris Coleman, who desliga player, Peter Pekarik of Hertha BSC After 58 long years the dream of many led Wales not only to the European Champi- , is also one of the key players with the Welshmen finally came true – the small na- onship finals but also to eighth place in the 46th world ranked group, who ensured second tion qualified for a finals again for the first world of football. of Arsenal FC place in Group C behind Spain with aplomb time since the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, by and of Liverpool FC are two further and thus sent Ukraine into the play-offs. Their finishing second behind Belgium and ahead players from the nation with 3.1 million inhab- good result, assured mainly by Hamsik, re- of Bosnia-Herzegovina in Group B. But the itants who easily have a two-figure million vered in Naples as no other player since Diego fans of other nations may be pleased as well market value. Due to the excellent perspec- Maradona, who was on the spot in the decisive for in France Wales can boast an array of tive and the historic qualification Bale was moments for his home country. He was the superstars. There is, for instance, top scorer not bothered at the end that the ticket was top scorer with five goals for the team which (six qualification goals), whose ascertained after a 2-0 defeat in Bosnia, be- sent the 5.4 million inhabitants into raptures. market value is estimated at about 80 mil- cause the success came as a result of Cyprus The players also celebrated boisterously, gate- lion euros. Thus the Real Madrid attacker is defeating Wales’s main rivals Israel: “That’s Wales celebrate their ticket to France – and for super- crashing an on the pitch TV interview after the worth more than the complete squads of the best defeat in my life. As a child I dreamt star Gareth Bale (2nd from right) the fulfilment of his decisive 4-2 triumph in Luxembourg to throw several other European Championship par- of playing in a major tournament.” dream of a European Championship participation. coach Ján Kozák into the air several times. ticipants. However, Bale is not the only pillar Photo: Imago Soccer News # 6/2015 6

ALLEZ BOOM!

Faced with so many emojis, your correspon- dent is lost for words – just like . He’s also disappointed that his dream fixture – the Netherlands v. Micronesia – looks likely to remain just that: an impossible dream.

By Freddy Boom

Hang on a moment, dear EURO 2016 qualifier fans, because before we turn to the latest scorelines and muse for a while over who will (and who won’t) be commuting to and from France next summer, here’s a news flash: A couple in New York recently spent a whole month texting each other us- ing only emojis – you know, those smiley things. So a smiley in sunglasses, a thumbs-up sign and a sushi symbol would mean “Fancy an Asian meal?”, get it? Not surprisingly, this led to some misunderstandings. When the lady sent her partner a string of emojis showing a skull and crossbones, a crying A quick heads up as a special service for all fans and players heading for France next summer, who will no doubt be sending text messages with smiley, a woman’s face, a beer glass and a stop sign (to say an Eiff el Tower symbol: This is what the real thing looks like. Photo: Atout France/Franck Charel she couldn’t meet him in the bar as agreed because she had to comfort a friend, who had a death in the family) he read it managed a battling 1:1 draw with the World Champions… and you saw one of the stars in the footballing firmament actually as “I miss you to death”. so it went on. Meanwhile England, who not long before had use a phone to speak to someone? Instead, they get blisters finished bottom of their group in the preliminary round of on their thumbs by shooting off text messages. My suspi- So why am I telling you all this in the section of SoccerNews the World Cup in Brazil, couldn’t stop winning. And now this: cion, based of course on internationally recognised research normally devoted exclusively to European football? Well, in In several of the post-match reports, I saw Dutch and Ger- into the use of the emoji menu on smartphones, is that Arjen the course of the 13-month Euro 2016 qualifier period I had man and Turkish players sitting on the team coach staring at Robben sent his wife a text something like this: a sneaking feeling that something was rotten in the state of their smartphones. Of course it’s only natural that the likes To which the charming Bernadien Robben, thinking: Oh, he’s Europe – and I don’t mean the political scene. Consider the of Arjen Robben, Mario Götze or Hakan Calhanoglu should upset because they only managed to beat the Viking minnows facts: On 9 September 2014, Turkey were defeated 3:0 by seek solace among their friends and families after a demor- from the Arctic Circle 2:0, sent this reply to cheer him up: Iceland; in the next round of matches a month later it was alising defeat, and would rather use their phones than send Latvia’s turn to lose to Iceland by the same score, then the a postcard or book a reverse-charge call from the phone box I’m coming to the conclusion that footballers also communi- Dutch lost to them 2:0. Poland beat Germany 2:0, the Irish round the back of the stadium. But when was the last time cate with each other in the same way. That might explain why, Soccer News # 6/2015 7

Quote of the day

We’ve got to do what Statistics are like mini- skirts – they don’t we can; I mean win. reveal everything.

Arjen Robben, injured captain of the Dutch national side, before they went down 3:2 to the 10-man A gem, admittedly an old one, from Turkey’s national trainer Fatih Termin. Somehow a fitting description Czech Republic. of events in Group A, where Iceland achieved direct, early qualification for the finals, followed at the last moment by Turkey but at the expense of the Netherlands.

say, the Dutch “total football” system just ain’t the message than if he texts them the follow- nevertheless researched exclusively for Soc- the other end. After being thrashed 46:0 by working, or why World Champions Germany ing emojis from the back seat of the coach cerNews): As yet, there is no emoji for the offi- Vanuatu, thumped 38:0 by Fiji and let off rel- have the occasional bad day at the office, later on: cial UEFA European Championship ball. And no atively lightly by Tahiti, who scraped a 30:0 see the recent 0:1 debacle against Ireland. taco emoji either. No surprises there, though, win, their coach, Stan Foster, had a plausible Apparently they’ve all forgotten how to talk But enough speculation… The fact is that even as Mexico failed to qualify for France 2016. explanation for his boys’ performance: Most to one another or communicate with their my eight-year-old daughter is mad about of them had never left their home villages hands and feet. And even if they do opt for playing with her dad’s phone. Yes, dear read- News Nobody Needs, item 2: The Swiss con- before, he revealed, let alone their respective a quick word, putting their hands over their ers, the times they are a-cha-a-anging. Soon trived to have a different scorer for each of islands. Their visit to Guam was the first time mouths to confound lip-readers, the con- we’ll soon all speak fluent Emoji, but until that the seven goals in their penultimate qualifier his players had seen escalators and elevators versation runs something like this: Robben happy day dawns, maybe someone could ex- against San Marino. Say cheese! – or played in a team with eleven players! No to Sneijder: “Oy, Wesley, ball, ball, Dutch flag, plain to me why the symbol menu features a information was forthcoming about access thumbs-up, smiley kiss.” Sneijder to Robben: blue heart, a grinning heap of dog’s mess and News Nobody Needs, item 3: The keeper to a mobile phone network and the use of “Smiley with sunglasses, V-for-victory sign.” a pair of twins doing a ballet dance?? Answers of the U23 team from the Federated States crying smileys in Micronesia. However, there Be that as it may, it looks as if the English, by text only, please, to the mobile number of Micronesia – consisting of four archipela- are unconfirmed reports that the experts at Icelanders, Welsh and Northern Irish have that flashed onto the screen for a split second gos in the Western Pacific, as I’m sure you Emoji Headquarters, wherever they might be, spotted the flaw in the system and started two minutes ago. knew – had to pick the ball out of the net 114 are considering the introduction of a crying using real words again. Let’s face it, if, out on times in 3 matches at the Pacific Games held football. The Micronesians would definitely the pitch, yells “Pass the f…ing To finish off with, here’s item 1 under the recently on Guam. To add insult to injury, his find a use for that one. As would the Dutch. ball!”, his team mates are more likely to get heading of News Nobody Needs (but that I team mates failed to score a single goal at Soccer News # 6/2015 8

the Ford Mustang, which proudly bears not Did you know ... only the name of the wild colt from the Ameri- can prairies but also its image on the radiator ... that there are sharks on grille. But lots more creatures feature in the wheels in Switzerland? name game: the Corvette Stingray from the Chevrolet stable owes its name to its distinctive wedge-shaped nose and tail sections. The Fiat Welcome to Switzerland, the land of mountains, Panda, Seat Leon (“lion”), VW Fox or Chevrolet nimble chamois, ski resorts and cheese with Impala are other examples of four-wheelers holes in. But sharks? Most connoisseurs of the with four-legged forebears. “There’s a long tra- Alpine republic would say it’s highly unlikely. dition of naming not just cars but entire com- But they’d be wrong – there really are sharks panies – such as Jaguar – after members of the in Switzerland. No, not in the financial com- animal kingdom,” says the aptly named Jürgen munity, and not in majestic Lake Lucerne or Pander, car expert and author of Fast alles über in the River Rhine, and certainly not tumbling Autos (Nearly Everything You Wanted To Know down any of the countless mountain streams. About Cars). “The animal names are designed No, there have been sharks on Swiss roads to express vitality, strength and power, as well since automaker Monteverdi from Binningen, as implying a certain amount of aggression near Basle, built a sport coupe named Hai (Ger- when it comes to sports cars.” But sometimes man for “shark”) between 1970 and 1973. Its it’s the general public, not the auto industry, In the 1970s, the most attractive features of the Monteverdi Hai were its impressive performance and unorthodox shape – from the side, the speed- that gives a car a nickname simply because it striking shark-like design. Photo: Matthias von der Elbe ster does indeed resemble a shark – and lively fits. Common reasons here include distinctive performance made the Monteverdi Hai one of design or performance characteristics, or even the most sought-after sports cars of its day. In- the type of people who were expected to buy cidentally, the maker’s choice of name showed it. In time, the Volkswagen “Type 1” became the his awareness of the true nature of the beast, “Beetle”, and – in Germany, at least – the Citroën because sharks (real ones, now) by no means 2 CV the “Duck” (“Ente”). In its day, the Ford live up to the negative image of marine mon- Capri was a particular favorite in the handyman ster and cold-blooded killer created by films fraternity, which earned it the title “Bricklayer’s like Jaws. In an average year only five to ten Porsche”. The bodywork of the ’s people worldwide are killed in shark attacks, iconic Trabant was a compound of wood and whereas crocodiles account for 1,000 fatalities, cotton fibers and resin, so the car came to be and 25,000 people are killed by dogs. known, somewhat ironically, as “Rennpappe” – literally, “Racing Pasteboard”. French manufac- Naming a car after a member of the animal turer Matra even went as far as the jungles of kingdom is not a Swiss specialty, though. There India in search of a suitable name. 1973 saw the are more species in the automobile zoo than unveiling of the Matra Bagheera, its moniker you might think. Obviously, everyone has borrowed from the black panther in Rudyard heard of the Beetle, and the distinctive design Kipling’s The Jungle Book. Sad to say, though, of its distant cousin, the Citroën 2CV, earned the Bagheera’s successor was not called Mow- it the affectionate nickname Ente (meaning gli but took its name from a creature of the The Matra Bagheera was named after the black panther in the children’s classic The Jungle Book. “duck”) in Germany. And we’re all familiar with deep: the Murena (moray eel). Photo: Wybe Soccer News # 6/2015 9

News Thomas Mueller and Mario Goetze as well as “Madrilenian” performed in nine matches. Boateng is also the top Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) 9 798 180.000 The World Cup champions have changed: earner in the DFB selection as he cashed 200,000 euro bonus Mario Götze (Bayern ) 9 690 200.000 superior but with weaknesses money. However, the 27-year-old is not the only one as Goetze, (Borussia ) 8 630 180.000

Lukas Podolski (Galatasaray Istanbul) and (TSG (1. FC ) 7 559 140.000

The German national team remains the only one to qualify Hoffenheim) were nominated for the DFB squad ten times for (Bayer Leverkusen) 7 422 160.000 continuously for European Championship finals since 1972. But all ten matches. The players get a bonus of 20,000 euro per André Schürrle (VfL Wolfsburg) 7 389 160.000 despite top position in Group D with 22 points, followed by Po- nomination. Thus Hanoverian goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler (Galatasaray Istanbul) 7 197 200.000 land (21) and Ireland (18), there was an unusually long period of may enjoy a 160,000 euros bonanza although he didn’t play Mesut Özil (Arsenal FC) 6 539 120.000 jitters. It has been decades since the selection of the German for a minute in the European Championship qualification. Ilkay Gündogan () 5 369 120.000

Football Association (DFB) had to wait to the very last qualifier (VfL Wolfsburg) 5 189 180.000 to ultimately ascertain their participation. (Manchester Utd.) 4 360 120.000

The German goal scorers in the European Championship qualification (Borussia Dortmund) 4 358 80.000

The World Cup champions recorded four defeats in 14 matches, (Borussia Dortmund) 4 341 100.000 Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich) 9 goals including friendlies (2-4 against Argentina, 1-0 in Spain, 2-2 with Sebastian Rudy (TSG Hoffenheim) 4 274 200.000

Australia, 1-2 against USA), since winning the 2014 World Cup (Borussia Dortmund) 4 226 160.000 Mario Götze (Bayern Munich) 3 goals title and in only four matches did not concede a goal (twice (Bayer Leverkusen) 3 161 160.000 against Gibraltar, in Georgia and in Spain). After the two last Andre Schürrle (VfL Wolfsburg) 3 goals (Liverpool FC) 2 180 80.000 matches, a 1-0 defeat in Ireland and the disillusioning 2-1 over Antonio Rüdiger (AS Rome) 2 172 100.000 Max Kruse (VfL Wolfsburg) 3 goals Georgia, national coach Joachim Loew particularly lamented (Schalke 04) 2 110 40.000 the lack of efficiency of his normally strong attacking force. But Ilkay Gündogan (Borussia Dortmund) 2 goals (Juventus Turin) 2 83 60.000 also the obvious weaknesses in the defence, for which Loew has (1899 Hoffenheim) 2 36 140.000 not yet found a regular formation 15 months after the World Cup Karim Bellarabi (Bayer Leverkusen) 1 goals (FC Valencia) 1 90 180.000 triumph, shows the German team are in a process of change. (Borussia Dortmund) 1 90 120.000 Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) 1 goals Benedikt Höwedes (Schalke 04) 1 90 60.000

But nevertheless the national coach has set his next sights high. Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund) 1 goals (Bor. Mönchengladbach) 1 55 20.000

Two years after winning the World Cup title the team should win (Bayer Leverkusen) 1 12 20.000 its fourth European title for German football in France next year. Ron-Robert Zieler () - - 160.000

And that, Loew emphasises, would be just a “milestone” on the Marc-André ter Stegen (FC Barcelona) - - 80.000 road to defending the World Cup title in Russia in 2018. Bonus (Bayer Leverkusen) - - 40.000

Kevin Großkreutz (Galatasaray Istanbul) - - 20.000 Matches min. total bonus Boateng was the perennial player and top earner Mario Gomez (Besiktas Istanbul) - - 20.000 Jérôme Boateng (Bayern Munich) 10 900 200.000 Jerome Boateng was the perennial player in the German na- (Schalke 04) - - 20.000 (Bayern Munich) 9 810 180.000 tional team during the European Championship qualification. Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich) 9 805 180.000 The Bayern Munich defender was the only international to play in all ten group matches. His team-mates Manuel Neuer, Soccer News # 6/2015 10

Trolls are part of Norwegian mythology – and roadside scenery. This delightful couple were seen waiting Five Trolls were built; one of them is now in the Norwegian Museum of Historical Vehicles in Lillehammer. for a bus in southern Norway. Photo: Wesselhöft Photo: Pander

Did you know ... Their one-eyed counterparts that run through meters long, 1.29 meters high and weighed none of whom had worn a facemask when the woods tearing up trees go by the name just 700 kilograms. Starting in 1956, Kohl-Lars- working on the Troll’s fiber-glass body, all died ... that there were once five trolls of skogtrolle. Legend has it that a waterfall is en and his friends Bruno Falck, Erling Fjugs- of lung cancer. Today there’s only one of the on Norwegian roads? actually the result of a troll answering a call tad, Birger Kåsne and Oddvar Lunde built five original crew left, 80-year-old Oddvar Lunde. of nature at the top of a hill. There are lots of Trolls in the small town of Lunde, west of Oslo. He was a designer and mechanic, and the waterfalls in Norway, too… The first cars made by “Troll Plastik Bilindus- only team member who worked in a separate Norway is the land of fjords and chunky hand- tri” were scheduled to go on sale in 1957 at a room. And are there any Trolls left? Well, one knitted sweaters. Norway has the spectacular Back in the 1950s there were even four- price of 12,000 kroner – 150 kroner cheaper has survived in working order. It belongs to Northern Lights and the illustrious Nobel wheeled trolls. The vision of Norwegian inven- than a VW Beetle at the time. However, no 68-year-old Ole Christian Simonsen. In 1977, Peace Prize. This is where tradition calls for fish tor Per Kohl-Larsen was to build a car that cars were ever sold. In the 1950s, the only he bought the parts of the completely dis- to be buried until they stink, then devoured everyone could afford – a kind of Norwegian automobiles in Norway were imported from mantled Troll for a few hundred euros and with gusto – an acquired taste unique to Nor- equivalent of the Volkswagen, or People’s Car. the Soviet Union in exchange for fish meal. put it back together. He still takes his Troll out wegians. But Norway is also the land of trolls, But while the design of the car was revolu- As the production of cars in Norway would of the garage for a spin occasionally, and the mythical creatures that nobody has ever seen, tionary, and it went by the appealing name have jeopardized this lucrative trade link, the only reason the car no longer achieves its de- unfortunately. Some are said to be the size of of “Troll”, only five were ever built. So what Norwegian government decided against the clared top speed of 130 km/h is that it’s stuck your thumb, others reputed to be as big as did the car look like? A sports coupé with a project shortly before production began. That in second gear. The only other surviving Troll mountains able to carry entire forests on their fiber-glass body, rear-hinged doors and a two- was not the end of the story, though. Inventor is on show at the Norwegian Museum of His- backs. Trolls that inhabit lakes are called nøkk. stroke engine, Kohl-Larsen’s dream was 3.85 Per and his friends Bruno, Erling and Birger, torical Vehicles in Lillehammer.