BERLIN: World Cup winner Mario Goetze has been tipped for a Germany recall by former national team coach Joachim Loew after returning to the Bundesliga by signing for Champions League side Eintracht Frankfurt.
Goetze completed his transfer from Dutch Eredivisie runners-up PSV Eindhoven by signing a three-year contract.
“I’m really looking forward to playing for Eintracht Frankfurt,” said Goetze, who scored an extra-time winner in Germany’s victory over Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final.
“The club has developed incredibly and embarked on an exciting, ambitious path which I am glad to be a part of.”
Frankfurt have qualified for the Champions League for the first time since losing the 1960 European Cup final to Real Madrid after winning the Europa League last season.
Sporting director Markus Kroesche said Goetze turned down “numerous offers” in order to join Frankfurt.
“We have lacked a type of player like him so far,” said Kroesche.
Loew, who brought Goetze on as a substitute in the World Cup final, is backing the midfielder to stake a claim for an international recall despite last playing for Germany in 2017.
“He has all the qualities for it,” Loew, who stepped down as coach after Euro 2020, told Sky.
“He will play in the Champions League again, will be the focus here in the Bundesliga and will want to put himself forward for a World Cup place.”
Goetze rebuilt his confidence during his two-year spell at PSV after struggling for form at Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
As a fresh-faced teenager in the 2010/11 season, Goetze helped Dortmund win the first of back-to-back Bundesliga titles.
At the time, German legend Franz Beckenbauer described Goetze as “impossible to stop” and likened him to Lionel Messi.
Bayern signed Goetze in 2013 by triggering a release clause in his Dortmund contract for 37 million euros ($39 million).
Yet Goetze never nailed down a first-team place under Pep Guardiola at Bayern, leaving in 2016 to return to Dortmund, where a metabolic disorder sidelined him in early 2017, after which he struggled to regain form.
He quit the Bundesliga in 2020 for Eindhoven, where he managed 18 goals and as many assists over the last two seasons.
Loew tips Goetze for Germany recall after Frankfurt move
https://arab.news/8s8pg
Loew tips Goetze for Germany recall after Frankfurt move
- Sporting director Markus Kroesche said Goetze turned down "numerous offers" in order to join Frankfurt
- Loew is backing the midfielder to stake a claim for an international recall despite last playing for Germany in 2017
Ireland’s Shane Breen claims World Cup glory at Al Shira’aa International Horse Show
- FEI World Cup Grand Prix delivers thrilling finale on final day at Al Forsan
ABU DHABI: The Al Shira’aa International Horse Show drew to a close at Al Forsan International Sports Resort with the week’s feature class FEI World Cup Grand Prix claimed by Ireland’s Shane Breen at the conclusion of five days of competition.
Ahead of the grand finale, a drone told of Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza Al-Nahyan’s vision of the future of equestrian sport.
Contested over two rounds and offering a $380,000 prize fund, the grand prix brought together a stellar field of 50.
Victory went to Breen, who produced the only double clear of the class on BP Arctic Blue, stopping the clock in 47.61 seconds to secure a decisive win.
Last year’s winner, Italy’s Guido Grimaldi, followed in second place riding Gentleman, his performance marred only by three time faults.
Completing the podium was Great Britain’s Alexander McLean, who delivered the fastest second-round time on Calixte Heartbreaker Z, but a single pole down saw him settle for third place.
Breen reflected on his winning round, and said: “I watched a few combinations go early and saw that it wasn’t an easy course. BP Arctic Blue was stepping up to this level tonight, so my focus was simply to ride my round, jump clear and then wait to see how that played out. He had a look in a couple of places, especially at the planks, but my priority was to bring him home safely. To win here is very special.
“I’d like to sincerely thank Al Shira’aa for its continued support of show jumping globally,” he added. “It’s hugely appreciated by riders, as is all the hard work put in by Show Director Samantha Kettle and the entire organizing team. A very special thank you must also go to HH Sheikha Fatima for her vision and backing of this event.”
Reflecting on those who played a part in his success, Breen added: “I’m incredibly grateful to my own team at Breen Equestrian and Team Z7, especially HH Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum. Most importantly, I want to thank my wife Chloe for trusting my judgment when we purchased BP Arctic Blue from a close friend, Greg Broderick. We’re a team, and this result is very much a shared achievement.”
Grimaldi said: “It’s always special to be back here, especially after winning this grand prix last year. Gentleman is a genius and was the second-best horse in the Globals. My problem was always to stay in the time, but to be second behind Shane is a great honour.”
McLean said: “I’m absolutely delighted. To finish third here and to have three wins over the week is incredible. I’d better let the boss win sometimes though, otherwise I might not have a job.”
Kettle called the team behind the scenes “incredible,” and added: “From the arena crew and course designers to hospitality, media and officials, everyone has worked tirelessly, often late into the night.
“We’ve seen a significant increase in prize money this year, particularly in the grand prix, which reflects HH Sheikha Fatima’s vision to grow the sport while keeping it accessible. We’re proud to have welcomed more sponsors than ever before and we’re already looking ahead to building something even bigger for the 10th edition.”
