Kaiser chief - Dietmar hamann: a tribute
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 1:42 pmSo it would seem that a glittering Liverpool career will be coming to an end in the next few days if reports are to be believed.
Didi Hamann surprisingly does not receive many mentions outside Anfield when the most influential imports are debated. Maybe it's just because the guy has gone about his business in an unfashionable way. He doesn't really say a lot. He just does his business on the pitch. If you ask me, despite what others may argue, no other foreigner has been as important to his side as this guy has for us over the past 8 years.
He may lack the style of Dennis Bergkamp, Gianfranco Zola or Thierry Henry, the mystique of Eric Cantona or medal-winning prowess of Peter Schmeichel, but he has been involved in some of the most memorable moments in recent English history. Infact you could argue that the triumphs of Istanbul and Cardiff earlier this year would never have happened but for the German's calming influence and ability to keep the ball at vital moments. Two big finals, two big shoot-outs, and twice Hamann has been asked to open up for Liverpool. The pressure must have been massive in the Ataturk and in the Millennium, but Hamann delivered. Coolly, calmly, Hamann set the tone for Liverpool's triumphant shoot-outs.
At 32, Hamann can be caught out by the pace of the modern game yet he remains a steadying presence as events in Istanbul and Cardiff confirm. Arriving at half-time against Milan with Liverpool trailing 3-0, Hamann allowed Steven Gerrard to raid upfield to epic effect. With shades of Bert Trautmann's neck, Hamann broke his foot in Istanbul but played on. Brought on after 71 minutes against West Ham with Liverpool losing 3-2, Hamann again anchored and Gerrard thundered in that remarkable equaliser.
Any celebration of Hamann cannot be limited to an analysis of his footballing virtues. Jamie Carragher describes him as "your typical old-fashioned English player" because of Hamann's love of gee-gees, banter, and golf. He even shouts at the telly when players dive. Few foreigners have earned the deep respect and popularity of English colleagues as Hamann. I still find it staggering to this day that he was left out of the Germany squad for the World Cup.
So as we focus on England in Germany, it is worth celebrating a German in England. Hamann deserves greater recognition from the public - but he has the admiration of his peers, and respect does not come greater. I'm sure all Liverpool fans wish him all the best at Bolton (as long as he doesn't score against us).
Didi Hamann surprisingly does not receive many mentions outside Anfield when the most influential imports are debated. Maybe it's just because the guy has gone about his business in an unfashionable way. He doesn't really say a lot. He just does his business on the pitch. If you ask me, despite what others may argue, no other foreigner has been as important to his side as this guy has for us over the past 8 years.
He may lack the style of Dennis Bergkamp, Gianfranco Zola or Thierry Henry, the mystique of Eric Cantona or medal-winning prowess of Peter Schmeichel, but he has been involved in some of the most memorable moments in recent English history. Infact you could argue that the triumphs of Istanbul and Cardiff earlier this year would never have happened but for the German's calming influence and ability to keep the ball at vital moments. Two big finals, two big shoot-outs, and twice Hamann has been asked to open up for Liverpool. The pressure must have been massive in the Ataturk and in the Millennium, but Hamann delivered. Coolly, calmly, Hamann set the tone for Liverpool's triumphant shoot-outs.
At 32, Hamann can be caught out by the pace of the modern game yet he remains a steadying presence as events in Istanbul and Cardiff confirm. Arriving at half-time against Milan with Liverpool trailing 3-0, Hamann allowed Steven Gerrard to raid upfield to epic effect. With shades of Bert Trautmann's neck, Hamann broke his foot in Istanbul but played on. Brought on after 71 minutes against West Ham with Liverpool losing 3-2, Hamann again anchored and Gerrard thundered in that remarkable equaliser.
Any celebration of Hamann cannot be limited to an analysis of his footballing virtues. Jamie Carragher describes him as "your typical old-fashioned English player" because of Hamann's love of gee-gees, banter, and golf. He even shouts at the telly when players dive. Few foreigners have earned the deep respect and popularity of English colleagues as Hamann. I still find it staggering to this day that he was left out of the Germany squad for the World Cup.
So as we focus on England in Germany, it is worth celebrating a German in England. Hamann deserves greater recognition from the public - but he has the admiration of his peers, and respect does not come greater. I'm sure all Liverpool fans wish him all the best at Bolton (as long as he doesn't score against us).
