Germany, World Cup winners and Mutti… Hallelujah!
Germany are champions of the world again after snatching victory against Argentina in Brazil – and Angela Merkel is there to congratulate them.
Hatched from the agony of their recent near-misses, Germany’s triumph secured a fourth World Cup title – their first since the country was reunited 24 years ago – with a nail-biting 1-0 win in Sunday’s final at the sprawling Maracana.
The win, sealed by substitute Mario Goetze’s brilliantly taken strike in the 113th minute, marked the first time a European country had won the sport’s greatest prize in the Americas, although this World Cup was ultimately a triumph for all.
Mutti
When Germany’s players climbed the steps to receive the trophy, with the country having lost in the semi-finals in 2006 and 2010 and the final in 2002, they were embraced by the German Chancellor Merkel and Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, who will host the next World Cup in 2018.
Foto – Bei Weltmeistern in der Kabine: Bundespräsident #Gauck und Kanzlerin #Merkel gratulieren (BPA) pic.twitter.com/hpTKjfNU32
— Steffen Seibert (@RegSprecher) July 14, 2014
Selfie 2â?¦:-) pic.twitter.com/RJh7RnXXUw
— Lukas-Podolski.com (@Podolski10) July 13, 2014
Crowds also whooped with delight as they watched Merkel, nicknamed ‘Mutti’ or ‘mummy’ in Germany, embrace each German player after the match.
“1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014 – we fought hard for our fourth win and it was totally deserved. Congratulations,” tweeted Angela Merkel’s spokesman Steffen Seibert, referring to Germany’s four World Cup titles. He had travelled with the chancellor to Rio de Janeiro for the final.
Roars of delight soared in Berlin where 300,000 fans had braved torrential downpours and thunder storms to watch the final.
“This is such an awesome feeling. I’m overwhelmed. The team kept us waiting for that goal, but we won in the end and that’s what matters,” said 23-year-old Marcus Angrick from Bernau, outside Berlin. “This team is so good, we won’t have to wait another 24 years to win again.”
On neighbouring streets, cars revved loudly and honked horns, while girls in wigs with Germany colours and flags hung out of windows and rode on car roofs. Others climbed lamp posts, toasting Germany’s victory with beers and chanting, “Germany, champions, Hallelujah!”