“The match was magnificent, gripping right down to last minute. Only the final result saddens us, of course”, commented the Archbishop of Paderborn Hans-Josef Becker on the semi-final of the football World Cup, played between Germany and Italy at Dortmund on 4 July: Italy won by 2 goals to nil. Becker reveals that he “spent a large part of the match on his feet”, electrified by the enthusiasm. “The atmosphere in the stadium was simply infectious”. To the disappointed German fans Msgr. Becker says: “The candle lit for the German national team must not be allowed to go out. The last three weeks have demonstrated that if we believe in something strongly enough, we can move mountains. I hope that the joyful atmosphere of these last few days may continue. It was and is moving to see how hospitality, solidarity, fair play, freedom and friendship can help make a society finer”. The auxiliary bishop of Essen, Franz Grave commented: “The national team is proud to have got so far. The world grew closer together during the World Cup. This is the primary function of sport”. On Germany’s defeat, the bishop added: “The defeat of one’s own team in extra time is not, after all, so dreadful”.
