The Local Germany

Paul the octopus oracle found dead

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 15:02:00 +0200

Paul the octopus has picked his last winner. The eight-legged German oracle who gained worldwide fame by consistently predicting the victors of the 2010 World Cup football matches has died, aquarium officials announced Tuesday.

Löw defends new Real duo against Mourinho gripe

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:48:00 +0200

Germany coach Joachim Löw has leapt to the defence of Real Madrid's new boys Sami Khedira and Mesut Özil after their club coach Jose Mourinho grumbled about the German pair's lack of Spanish.

Ballack to remain Germany team captain

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:25:00 +0200

Joachim Löw, coach of Germany's national football team, confirmed Wednesday that veteran midfielder Michael Ballack will remain his first-choice captain despite being left out of their opening Euro 2012 qualifying games.

Özil leaves Werder Bremen for Real Madrid

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:08:00 +0200

Mesut Özil, one of the young stars of the German national football team, on Tuesday quit Bundesliga side Werder Bremen to sign a contract with Spanish giants Real Madrid for an undisclosed fee.

World Cup powers Adidas to strong Q2

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:56:00 +0200

Adidas, the world's second biggest sports equipment and clothing maker, raised its earnings per share outlook on Wednesday after raking in strong second-quarter profits thanks to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

France using Ribery as 'scapegoat,' Bayern Munich boss says

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:37:00 +0200

French authorities are hounding Franck Ribery over under-age sex allegations because of France's awful World Cup performance, the chairman of the midfielder's German club Bayern Munich said Thursday.

'I rooted for Germany,' David Cameron confesses

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:09:00 +0200

British Prime Minister David Cameron made a soul-searing confession before the eyes of the world on Tuesday - that he had cheered for Germany after they vanquished England at the World Cup.

Löw extends national football team contract

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:22:00 +0200

Germany's national football coach Joachim Löw and his staff said Tuesday they had agreed two-year extensions to their contracts hoping to build on the young team's bold showing at the World Cup.

'I'm the captain,' insists angry Ballack

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:15:00 +0200

German captain Michael Ballack hit back at his World Cup replacement Philipp Lahm Wednesday night, vowing in sharp tones he would stay on as the skipper despite Lahm's push to take over full-time.

Paul the octopus gets suspicious citizenship offer from Spain

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:32:00 +0200

Paul the prescient octopus who predicted Spain's World Cup victory will be declared an honorary citizen of a Spanish town whose main industry, ominously, is producing calamari.

Ballack's agent brands national players 'queers'

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:55:00 +0200

Footballer Michael Ballack’s agent has sparked controversy by reportedly launching a bizarre homophobic attack on the German national team, branding unnamed players a “bunch of queers.”

As German as Özil and Boateng

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:08:00 +0200

Germany can be proud of its multicultural football team and how it's helping change the country's national identity, writes The Local's Marc Young. But sport alone won't be enough.

The final World Cup roundup

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:42:00 +0200

The Local’s World Cup blog offers an outsider’s perspective on German football as Die Mannschaft goes for third-place glory in South Africa. Don’t miss our final roundup!

Müller snares golden boot as top scorer

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:07:00 +0200

Germany's 20-year-old midfielder Thomas Müller has captured the “gold boot” award as the top goal-scorer at the World Cup in South Africa. He was also recognised as “best young player.”

Paul the prophetic octopus retires with perfect record

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:18:00 +0200

Salty soothsayer Paul, the "psychic" octopus, finished the World Cup with a flawless record as Spain's 1-0 win over the Netherlands in Sunday's final leaves him with eight perfect predictions.

Germany round off World Cup with win

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 00:21:00 +0200

A header eight minutes from time by Sami Khedira allowed Germany to snatch third place at the World Cup as the three-times champions secured a 3-2 win over Uruguay on Saturday.

Germans hit by flu and fitness worries ahead of match for third

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 18:42:00 +0200

Germany's squad have been hit by a flu virus and have worries over the fitness of star striker Miroslav Klose ahead of Saturday's World Cup third place play-off against Uruguay.

Paul the 'psychic' octopus predicts wins for Germany and Spain

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:59:00 +0200

The cephalopod oracle has spoken. Germany will beat Uruguay in the third-place play-off on Saturday and Spain will defeat the Netherlands in the World Cup final on Sunday, according to the "psychic" octopus Paul, who has an unblemished record in picking winners this tournament.

Football coach Löw reportedly set to continue with new contract

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 12:53:00 +0200

Germany coach Joachim Löw will be handed a new contract as a reward for guiding the national football team to the World Cup semi-finals, the Bild newspaper reported on Friday.

German Media Roundup: We'll be back

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:48:00 +0200

Following Germany's disappointing World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain, the newspapers in The Local's media roundup on Thursday praised the country’s young team and vowed they would bounce back.