SoccerNews Issue # 5, July 07th 2016 Continental/Division Tires Buettnerstraße 25 | 30165 Hannover Alexander Bahlmann Phone: +49 511 938 2615 Head of Communications & E-Mail: [email protected] Public Relations PLT www.contisoccerworld.de SoccerNews # 5/2016 2 News lent tally of 32 goals. And then he arrived in France and suddenly encountered a log- jam. He scored 32 goals in 71 international Thomas Mueller matches since his debut in 2010; he has now earned 76 caps, but the number of goals re- searching for mains the same. From now he doesn’t want to take a goal penalties In a manner of speaking Thomas Mueller is the average German. Thomas is the most Thomas Mueller has scored 32 common male Christian name in Germany, goals in 76 international match- as is his family name Mueller. But the Upper Bavarian is a true character in life as well as es. At the 2010 World Cup he sport. His way of playing football is unique. was the top scorer, and hit three “He has running paths like no-one else”, says national coach Joachim Loew. Mueller de- goals against Portugal in Ger- scribes how he enjoys being a “cross-country many’s first match at the 2014 runner”, criss-crossing the pitch. Loew has recommended that he simply runs at the World Cup finals. The prolific French defence, making it difficult for any blue goal machine is suffering from a defender to follow him. Mueller is capable of unsettling an entire defence system. And then goal drought at these European at some point he normally stands free in front Championships. It’s not just na- Don’t whinge, you are always playing for time, Luigi. That’s what Thomas Mueller seems to be saying to of goal and nets. Italy’s goalkeeper Buffon. Photo: Imago tional coach Joachim Loew who Suddenly Mueller even failed to net a dead ball is hoping that this will end in the from eleven metres. When Gianluigi Buffon was the top scorer at the 2010 World Cup and goals for the next match, now the semi-fi- saved his shot in the penalty shoot-out against semi-final against France. netted three goals against Portugal in the first nal against France on Thursday, is another Italy, he announced he would not take another match of the 2014 World Cup finals, is totally standard question casually parried by Mueller. penalty until he had thoroughly practised his The off duty goalscorer is not desperately unusual. It is gradually getting on the nerves “That’s what we talk about after every match. shooting technique. However, he is still being searching for reasons, but neither is Thomas of this customarily funny and quick-witted But whether it is so, I would rather answer af- praised by Loew and his team-mates. Muel- Mueller as cool as usual. At EURO 2016 the guy, causing him at times to brood. ter the next one”. ler invests everything into the team, with his 26-year-old has been chasing a goal for five running performances “unbelievable” in every matches. “I’ll continue trying. If it happens, it “A goal would give me peace, as I wouldn’t It has come to a sudden halt, as Mueller match. “He doesn’t let himself feel down”, said happens”, says Mueller. “If we win the final and have to answer anymore respective ques- scored his last goal to make it 2-0 in the final Loew, referring to the goal drought. His “goal- I haven’t scored I might be criticised by the tions”, he told journalists who have pestered friendly before the European Championship less” striker is now the first candidate to replace media, but we will still take the trophy home”, him after every European Championship against Hungary. The entire season went very injured Mario Gomez up front. Loew said he the Munich player stressed in a defiant tone. match as to whether he is irritated by his well. Mueller played 49 competitive matches has the feeling “that Mueller will score when he This lack of goals for Thomas Mueller, who missed chances. Whether he is saving his for Bayern Munich and recorded the excel- really needs it”. At least one goal is needed to SoccerNews # 5/2016 3 News Why is Ronaldo not tattooed? European Championship elimination by quarter-finals last Saturday. The left-side de- Many critics maintain that Cristiano Ronaldo Italyin the round of 16. Goalkeeper Casillas, fender of 1.FC Cologne turned professional is vain and narcissistic. But the Portuguese 35, was replaced by David de Gea, 25, during quite late and thinks that international match- international striker, who with his team will the tournament. After that silence reigned es will never become a normality for him. meet Wales in the semi-finals of the Europe- between Casillas and del Bosque. Following His team-mates at 1. FC Cologne like to call an Championship, does not exhibit distinc- his resignation the coach announced on him “Schlaubi”, and the 26-year-old has often tive tattoos as many other professional foot- social media: “Have sent a farewell text mes- been called it in the German national team. ballers. There is a reason for this, although sage to all the players, except Casillas”.Then a Cologne’s substitute goalkeeper Thomas it’s not because he doesn’t want to blight his reunion picture was posted on Twitter at the Kessler created the nickname because,with body shaped through perpetual fitness train- start of the week, with del Bosque and Casil- his glasses, Hector allegedly looks a bit like ing. “I am not tattooed because if I were I las smilingly embracing each other. Casillas’s the “Schlaubi” smurf. Hector, who was still couldn’t donate blood”, Ronaldo explained to comment: “Love is always the solution!” playing in the fourth German division with Italian journalists. The 31-year-old has been a SV Auersmacher in the Saarland just six blood donor since 2011. In principle tattooed years ago, studies business economics. people may also donate blood – but only four months after a fresh tattoo. Italian referee Rizzoli officiates at German semi-final Good outcome for Ronaldo’s microphone Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli will officiate at German penalty hero: Jonas Hector throw the European Championship semi-final be- Photo: Imago When attempting to put Real Madrid’s su- tween Germany and France. Two years ago perstar in perspective, it must be noted that the 44-year-old architect from Mirandola in even an unfriendly, even ruthless action of the Emilia Romagna Region also refereed beat France. If Mueller scores it, it would Ronaldo has brought a good outcome. The the World Cup final in Rio de Janeiro, with certainly be celebrated with the greatest striker recently threw the microphone of a Germany triumphing 1-0 over Argentina intensity. reporter, who wanted to interview him, into after extra time. This could be a good omen a lake. The TV channel of the Portuguese for the German team coached by Joachim Referee Nicola Rizzoli at the match Portugal – But Mueller also hinted on Tuesday that there newspaper “Correio da Manha” (CMTV) had Loew. It is Rizzoli‘s fourth European Cham- Austria. In the background: Cristiano Ronaldo. is one probable reason. He criticised the long the device recovered by two divers. It will pionship match. The Italian, one of the best Photo: Imago seasonal programme, without sufficient rest now be auctioned off, with the proceeds referees in the world, also officiated at the and holiday periods, demanded of the top going to a psycho-pedagogic rehabilitation “German Endspiel” 2013 Champions League players. “It is nerve-racking during the season. centre in Portugal. Smurf “Schlaubi” in the DFB team final between Bayern Munich and Borussia But then you have just a three-week holiday Jonas Hector is the widely unknown student Dortmund (2-1) at Wembley Stadium. with no anticipation for the new season. You Spanish harmony among the German World Cup champions, can draw a deep breath and then you are A fierce argument erupted between Spanish even though he converted the decisive pen- pushed under water again. It causes great record international Iker Casillas (167 caps) alty for Germany’s 6-5 victory over Italy in pressure mentally”, Mueller disclosed. But he and coach Vicente del Bosque after Spain’s the shoot out of the European Championship would not complain. He will again chase goals in Marseille on Thursday from 21:00 hrs. SoccerNews # 5/2016 4 ALLEZ BOOM! Oobi-Oooobi gets it wrong Your author’s blood pressure is gradually getting back to normal after all those pen- alties and he’s wondering why the EUROs attract so many animal oracles. By Freddy Boom Slowly but surely the dust is beginning to settle again in my head. I’ve rebooted the synapses, given my short-term memory a quick spring clean, sorted through the sepia images of the more distant past and cleared some room for the next batch of recollections – because, dear friends of the beautiful game, it’s nearly semi-final time. The therapeutic reviews and instructive lessons from the quarter final between Germany and Italy are behind us at last. Phew. One of the worst jobs was restoring Never trust an elephant: Zella chooses Poland, Wales, Italy and Iceland as her quarter final winners. Photo: dpa my nine year-old daughter to a fully functioning member of society at 1 o’clock in the morning … From the minute the first penalty was taken, she flung herself about on the sofa like watching – like devouring a whole season of “Homeland” at a to name, making the real thought-leaders, like your SoccerNews on the bouncy castle at the school open day, an emotional single sitting – are as meditative as watching a Yogi practicing team philosopher Freddy Boom, cringe and moan, then rage wreck.