FOOTBALL MUST BE READY TO COME TOGETHER SAYS LOW

Football must come together for France, says Germany boss Low

GERMANY manager Joachim Low has spoken of his sadness and shock on what was a ‘horrible, terrible night’ in Paris — and admitted that he considered asking for tonight’s friendly with Holland to be postponed.

The security crackdown in the aftermath of Friday evening’s atrocities meant Low’s men, who had been unaware of the suicide bombing outside the Stade de France during their friendly with the host nation, had to spend the night inside the stadium.

The travelling party of 60 players, coaches and support staff snacked on hotdogs and sandwiches before grabbing whatever sleep they could in the cramped changing rooms.

Low — who praised the French team for their show of solidarity in refusing to leave the ground until the Germans felt safe — admitted that he and his players had been deeply affected by events.

Yet he insisted that, despite his initial misgivings, football had to take a dignified and unified stand against terrorism.

‘It was a horrible, terrible night,’ said Low. ‘I did not sleep. We could not go back to our hotel as it was not safe, so I have to thank the France players for offering to stay with us in the stadium. I’ve never seen a gesture like that.

‘It was hard for us because we had little information, so we could hardly imagine what’s going on in the city. A lot of information came only over the course of the night.

‘We then had some decisions but our general manager, Oliver Bierhoff, did a great job. He verified the information, discussed it with us as coaches and then passed it on to the players.

‘I have to praise the players for staying so calm. I felt I had their co-operation and there was real cohesion in the group. I have a good team. But, of course, there was a feeling of fear and insecurity.

‘Very few players got any sleep. I sat in the bus and thought about what was happening, about what would happen next.

‘Once we had landed back in Frankfurt, I had the feeling that the Holland game could not take place. But having slept on it for a night, it became clear that the game had to go ahead.

‘It’s going to be a clear message for freedom and democracy. It is about respect and support for our French friends. If we manage to turn this game into a signal, then we will have won, regardless of the result. We are all of the opinion that it’s good to stand by our values and that this game takes place.

‘I do not expect any waves or a party atmosphere or any songs in the stadium. But I believe that the players and the fans can show unity and solidarity with France. That is the most important thing.

‘Our thoughts will be with the families and friends of the victims. We will mourn with them even though we are playing this game.’

Extra security will be in place for tonight’s game in Hannover. Low added: ‘We have no worries about security, we know that everything possible is being done.’

Low, who led Germany to World Cup glory in Brazil in 2014, admits it will be difficult for his players to concentrate on a game that had been earmarked as a chance to experiment ahead of Euro 2016.

‘It’s difficult to strike a balance,’ he said. ‘You can’t just go back to normal day-to-day life. We want to play a good game but, of course, the sporting value of this game drops into the background.

‘This game is no longer any kind of benchmark, as it was originally planned to be a test for the Euros.’

When asked by a Dutch reporter to talk about Holland’s failure to qualify for next summer’s tournament, Low said: ‘It’s quite difficult to talk about opponents in the current situation, we would prefer to focus on other things.

‘I cannot analyse Friday’s game seriously. The whole situation was overwhelmed by fear.’

Bierhoff, who said that a special ceremony — and perhaps even a logo on both teams’ jerseys — were planned, added: ‘We want to send a clear signal that we stand up for our values, culture and freedom.

‘We think it’s great to see how the Netherlands go with us in the same direction to give this game the right setting.’

Holland head coach Danny Blind says he is happy to take his side to Hannover, although he would have understood if Germany’s players had not felt up to it.

‘I think it’s a good decision not to yield to terror, but we would have respected whatever decision the Germans had taken,’ he said.

‘I cannot begin to imagine what was going through the German players’ minds on Friday night when they heard the explosion.

‘It’s bound to have an effect on them. Fortunately, I’ve never experienced anything like it.’

It was a night that totally consumed us with fear and uncertainty