Germans wonder what all Keane fuss is about
ALTHOUGH the Roy Keane saga had been a well-reported subject in the German media, news about the absence of German darling Sebastian Deisler and the whole ill-fated warm-up campaign dominate the headlines and most German observers wonder what all the Keane fuss is about.
Roy whom? Most ordinary football fans ask themselves as Keane’s importance for Manchester United and his country had never been fully appreciated, as he hardly was at his best whenever he faced German opposition, and most Germans do certainly believe that David Beckham captains the Old Trafford club.
While the Germans haven’t met Ireland in the past years, Keane and Man U had been at the receiving end whenever they faced German opposition as Dortmund in 1997, Bayern Munich in 2001 and Leverkusen in 2002 all managed to succeed over Alex Ferguson’s boys with the dramatic Nou Camp final in 1999 only a side aspect of history.
Most Germans will remember Keane as the man who was sent down by Steffan Effenberg’s harsh challenge during Bayern Munich’s successful Champions’ League campaign in 2001.
In a gesture displaying as much arrogance as self-confidence, Effenberg send down the Man U skipper on Munich soil and than verbally abused him, looking down at the physically smaller Irishman, who failed to inspired his side when Bayern won both quarter-final games.
German TV pundits explained later that they believed that by showing who the real leader was Effenberg destroyed Man U’s confidence that they would stand a chance against Bayern.
Rudi Voller’s careful reaction, the coach was one of the few from the German camp who commented on the matter, speaks volumes.
“Of course, it is a blow to Ireland. He is their leading player and their playmaker,” said Voller, who has his own problems with an injury-ravaged squad.
However, what Germans do understand is the devastating effect internal strife has on the teams performances during a major tournament.
At Euro 2000 the decision to reinstall the controversial veteran Lothar Matthaus into the team after a two-year self-inflicted absence destroyed the team spirit and even forced a players revolt against then-coach Erich Ribbeck.
Ultimately Germany showed their poorest performance ever during a tournament and embarassingly was send home after defeats against England and Portugal and a fortunate draw with Romania.
The feeling in Germany is that the damage is already done and the once famous Irish team spirit and unity has suffered a hefty blow.
As Ireland and their outstanding fans are still the neutral darlings since they impressed the country during the Germany-based Euro 1988 with their heavy drinking, always-happy party-mood, there are hardly column displaying malicious joy about the events.
After all, Ireland are not Germany’s arch-rivals like England, and one thing is for sure, there would have been no stopping the Schadenfreude (malicious joy) if things had happened to England skipper Beckham!
