For weeks in 2006, Germany transformed itself into a stage of emotions. Football captured the hearts of the entire nation and the country showed itself to people all over the world as hospitable, cosmopolitan, easy-going and charming. Just as Franz Beckenbauer was.
During the tournament itself, Franz was more than just an organizer. He was a host, face and ambassador all rolled into one. With his charming, unmistakable style, he represented the “new Germany”: open, modern, warm. His presence gave the tournament the lightness that made it a summer fairy tale.
During the tournament, the spectators got the impression that the emperor had also overcome the laws of physics: His presence at almost all games throughout Germany appeared almost impossible. The emperor's trick was a helicopter that flew him across the country in a very short time.
“Since the start of the World Cup, I've been flying across Germany every day by helicopter. From Frankfurt to Berlin, from Leipzig to Gelsenkirchen, from Hamburg to Cologne. ”
The fairy tale also took its course sportively. Under Jürgen Klinsmann, the German national team played refreshingly offensively, enthralled with young talents such as Lahm, Schweinsteiger and Podolski and fought their way to the semi-finals. Although there was no big victory, the unique atmosphere surrounding the tournament overshadowed every defeat.
Franz had created something that no one will be able to imitate him: world champion as player in 1974, world champion as coach in 1990, tournament boss of the 2006 World Cup.
