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He has written his wish list well. A few days before leaving for the Christmas break, Dr. Theo Zwanziger, President of the German Football Association – the DFB; talks about his hopes and aspirations for the upcoming year. Winning a championship at the EURO is among Zwanziger’s goals, and also the Olympic Gold Medal for the DFB women. For 2008, the 62-year old President of Europe’s largest sports association looks forward to a newly forged contract with the German Football League (DFL) and the completion of the huge task to build 1000 mini-pitches throughout the land.
Theo Zwanziger awaits the new year with much optimism. “Our topics are set, our course is charted, and people everywhere support our mission.”
Question: In October, you were re-elected at the General Assembly in Mainz. How much did that vote mean to you?
Dr. Theo Zwanziger: That was a good experience. More important than the outcome of the vote is the fact that our topics are set, our course is charted, and people everywhere support our mission, whether in the pro game or on the amateur level. That gives me the strength needed to continue working for the good of German football.
Question: What are your goals for 2008?
Zwanziger: It’s always a spectrum, never just one clear-cut singular goal. We have to support football’s overall growth. But there is certainly no denying that the EURO 2008 will be given operational priority. Now, it’s up to coaches and players to make our dream come true. What a success it would be, if our women – already World- and European Champions – should win the Gold Medal in Beijing. The Organisating Committee for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup will begin business operations in early 2008. Grasroots work is always vital. Building 1000 mini-pitches between April and October 2008 will be a huge task. We’ll continue to spread the word for our main messages: girl’s football, football at the schools, developing talents and integration.
Question: Negotiations for a new contractual basis between DFB and DFL, between the association and the pro league in German football, should take place in 2008. How do you approach these talks?
Zwanziger: We want open and fair talks. We respect the job done by the DFL, for instance their negotiations in regards to the Bundesliga’s new broadcast contract. This contract impacts all of us, most especially our professional clubs, which need a sound economic basis to succeed against first-class international competition.
Question: Some league officials talked about a third Sunday game, presumably early Sunday afternoon. Wouldn’t that be a burden for all amateur clubs, because that traditionally has always been their time-slot?
Zwanziger: Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Obviously, we always have to protect the interests of the amateur game, but at the same time we should stay open-minded. The amateurs also depend on a competitive Bundesliga. A healthy and prosperous pro game is essential for the amateurs.
Question: What are your expectations for 2008 in regards to the national team?
Zwanziger: What a great job done by Joachim Löw. The much expected let-down following the 2006 World Cup just did not occur. We played on a high-performance level and we won most games. When they had clinched the ticket for the EURO 2008, the team slowed down the pace just a bit. That’s very understandable - we still have human beings playing on the field, not robots.
Question: How far can they go at the EURO?
Zwanziger: Our coach has said before that we have a legitimate shot at the title. I have no reason to back out of this statement. At the same time, we are very aware that the tournament will be a challenge, and that Croatia, Poland and Austria will be very tough opponents.
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Question: Your favourites to win the EURO 2008?
Zwanziger: In my opinion, Italy and France. Whoever advances in that group with the Netherlands and Rumania, should make it to the final.
Question: German clubs did not always play impressively in the group phase of the Champions League. How does German club football fare in contrast to other nations?
Zwanziger: The economics just favour teams from England, Italy and Spain. These nations invest huge sums into the players, while we believe in spending money for stadiums and event security as well. Football is more than just the action on the pitch. Stadium renovations combined with our efforts to create a meaningful fan dialogue have had their effect. German professional football can look back on many peaceful years. Politics is partly reponsible for what has happened in some districts of the amateur game. Football plays a vital role in solving some of these frictions. We need to pursue preventive measures, but where violence appears, we also need to sanction this.
Question: You are a fervent supporter of the women’s game. What’s the status of women’s football more than three years prior to the World Cup?
Zwanziger: Obvioulsy, our national team has been playing on the highest possible level. Now, we need to transfer that success to the Bundesliga. Improving coaches’ schooling has to be a priority. Hosting the FIFA World Cup 2011 will be a challenging task. The experience from the summer of 06 should be very helpful. With Steffi Jones, we have found an ideal president for the Local Organising Committee. The 2011 World Cup will be a global festivity.
created by th
[bild1]
He has written his wish list well. A few days before leaving for the Christmas break, Dr. Theo Zwanziger, President of the German Football Association – the DFB; talks about his hopes and aspirations for the upcoming year. Winning a championship at the EURO is among Zwanziger’s goals, and also the Olympic Gold Medal for the DFB women. For 2008, the 62-year old President of Europe’s largest sports association looks forward to a newly forged contract with the German Football League (DFL) and the completion of the huge task to build 1000 mini-pitches throughout the land.
Theo Zwanziger awaits the new year with much optimism. “Our topics are set, our course is charted, and people everywhere support our mission.”
Question: In October, you were re-elected at the General Assembly in Mainz. How much did that vote mean to you?
Dr. Theo Zwanziger: That was a good experience. More important than the outcome of the vote is the fact that our topics are set, our course is charted, and people everywhere support our mission, whether in the pro game or on the amateur level. That gives me the strength needed to continue working for the good of German football.
Question: What are your goals for 2008?
Zwanziger: It’s always a spectrum, never just one clear-cut singular goal. We have to support football’s overall growth. But there is certainly no denying that the EURO 2008 will be given operational priority. Now, it’s up to coaches and players to make our dream come true. What a success it would be, if our women – already World- and European Champions – should win the Gold Medal in Beijing. The Organisating Committee for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup will begin business operations in early 2008. Grasroots work is always vital. Building 1000 mini-pitches between April and October 2008 will be a huge task. We’ll continue to spread the word for our main messages: girl’s football, football at the schools, developing talents and integration.
Question: Negotiations for a new contractual basis between DFB and DFL, between the association and the pro league in German football, should take place in 2008. How do you approach these talks?
Zwanziger: We want open and fair talks. We respect the job done by the DFL, for instance their negotiations in regards to the Bundesliga’s new broadcast contract. This contract impacts all of us, most especially our professional clubs, which need a sound economic basis to succeed against first-class international competition.
Question: Some league officials talked about a third Sunday game, presumably early Sunday afternoon. Wouldn’t that be a burden for all amateur clubs, because that traditionally has always been their time-slot?
Zwanziger: Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Obviously, we always have to protect the interests of the amateur game, but at the same time we should stay open-minded. The amateurs also depend on a competitive Bundesliga. A healthy and prosperous pro game is essential for the amateurs.
Question: What are your expectations for 2008 in regards to the national team?
Zwanziger: What a great job done by Joachim Löw. The much expected let-down following the 2006 World Cup just did not occur. We played on a high-performance level and we won most games. When they had clinched the ticket for the EURO 2008, the team slowed down the pace just a bit. That’s very understandable - we still have human beings playing on the field, not robots.
Question: How far can they go at the EURO?
Zwanziger: Our coach has said before that we have a legitimate shot at the title. I have no reason to back out of this statement. At the same time, we are very aware that the tournament will be a challenge, and that Croatia, Poland and Austria will be very tough opponents.
[bild2]
Question: Your favourites to win the EURO 2008?
Zwanziger: In my opinion, Italy and France. Whoever advances in that group with the Netherlands and Rumania, should make it to the final.
Question: German clubs did not always play impressively in the group phase of the Champions League. How does German club football fare in contrast to other nations?
Zwanziger: The economics just favour teams from England, Italy and Spain. These nations invest huge sums into the players, while we believe in spending money for stadiums and event security as well. Football is more than just the action on the pitch. Stadium renovations combined with our efforts to create a meaningful fan dialogue have had their effect. German professional football can look back on many peaceful years. Politics is partly reponsible for what has happened in some districts of the amateur game. Football plays a vital role in solving some of these frictions. We need to pursue preventive measures, but where violence appears, we also need to sanction this.
Question: You are a fervent supporter of the women’s game. What’s the status of women’s football more than three years prior to the World Cup?
Zwanziger: Obvioulsy, our national team has been playing on the highest possible level. Now, we need to transfer that success to the Bundesliga. Improving coaches’ schooling has to be a priority. Hosting the FIFA World Cup 2011 will be a challenging task. The experience from the summer of 06 should be very helpful. With Steffi Jones, we have found an ideal president for the Local Organising Committee. The 2011 World Cup will be a global festivity.
