The German national team with their four Werder players Marko Marin, Mesut Özil, Tim Wiese and Per Mertesacker arrived on time Monday morning at 7:12 a.m. in Johannesburg after a nearly...
The German national team with their four Werder players Marko Marin, Mesut Özil, Tim Wiese and Per Mertesacker arrived on time Monday morning at 7:12 a.m. in Johannesburg after a nearly...
The German national team with their four Werder players Marko Marin, Mesut Özil, Tim Wiese and Per Mertesacker arrived on time Monday morning at 7:12 a.m. in Johannesburg after a nearly 10-hour flight. There was a slight delay in departure Sunday night as pop star Shakira – who was due to fly on the same plane as the German team – was late arriving with her connecting flight from Madrid. As the Colombian singer boarded the plane, she wished German national team coach Joachim Löw’s men all the best for the finals in South Africa. And with those well wishes, the Werder players were able to dose off into dreamland with the huge Lufthansa A380 plane providing pyjamas for every passenger.
From the airport in Johannesburg, the German federation group made its way to the team hotel Velmore Grande near Pretoria some 60 kilometres away. There the group was welcomed by excited hotel employees and school children. "That was a tremendous reception. It showed right away how much happiness and excitement the South Africans have in anticipation of the World Cup and that they will do everything possible for their guests from around the world," said German national team coach Joachim Löw upon the team’s arrival.
The national team also was holding a training there Monday evening. Upwards of 20,000 spectators were expected for the public training session at the Super Stadium in Atteridgeville. "The fans are giving us great support and naturally also helping us get over the losses of experienced players such as Ballack, Adler and Rolfes," said Per Mertesacker before the departure from Germany.
