Germans basked in World Cup glory again on Monday when the national team were honoured before attending the premiere of the official movie about their victory in Brazil in July.
President Joachim Gauck, joined by Chancellor Angela Merkel, awarded the players with the Silver Laurel Leaf, the country’s highest sports award for what was Germany’s fourth World Cup crown.
“All of us in Germany felt as if we were world champions,” Gauck told the players before they received their awards. “We can be happy that no one is envying our title and the world is happy with us.”
Germany lifted the trophy after beating Argentina 1-0 in extra-time in the final following their historic 7-1 demolition of hosts Brazil in the semis.
“Many of us are not here for the first time,” World Cup-winning captain Philipp Lahm said in his address at Bellevue Palace.
“But it is something special to have brought the trophy with us this time.”
The 21 players, with Andre Schuerrle and Julian Draxler missing, and coaches were then whisked off to another red-carpet occasion as the city celebrated 25 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall which eventually led to Germany’s reunification.