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Sport
Photo: DPA

German hockey champs face €500,000 party bill

Published: 28 Aug 12 16:10 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/sport/20120828-44623.html

Not only did the German national hockey team win Olympic gold this summer – they proved themselves champions in destructive partying – and are now facing a bill for half a million euros for their post-victory celebrations.

The squad held a party on the German cruise ship “MS Deutschland” after their August 11 victory over the Netherlands which secured their second consecutive Olympic gold medal.

Photos have been released in the German media of players dousing each other in champagne and smoking cigars on the ship – which the cruise ship owners claim resulted in a long list of damages.

The company says holes were burned in the teak panelling of the casino, a broken pane of glass, and numerous stains from spilled drinks. But the most expensive aspect of the repairs will be docking the ship.

"The carpets and upholstery cannot be replaced while the ship is in use," Deilmann shipping company spokeswoman Kornelia Kneissl told Bild newspaper. Every day on land costs the shipping company €75,000, she said.

The matter appeared to be settled on Monday after the players apologized for the damage and the captain gave the owners a signed hockey stick.

But Bild reported on Tuesday that Deilmann had also sent the hockey team a bill for €500,000 in damages.

The German Hockey Association (DHV) said it had not yet received a bill.

But it remains unclear whether the association can be held legally responsible for the actions of its members.

One lawyer told Bild that liability had to be resolved individually in each case of damage.

"It's simple. Whoever destroys a table must pay for it,” said Burkhard Benecken.

“But I doubt that in this case the liability for any physical damage can be assigned individually. That would have to have been assessed on site. Even the organizers are not automatically liable for the damage. You would have to prove the organization was at fault."

If the shipping company pursues its claim, the matter is likely to end up in court.

The Local/sh

What do you think? Leave your comment below.


Your comments about this article:

18:55 August 28, 2012 by almorr
That is the sort of behavior you could well expect from football fans, not the national hockey team, disgraceful to all concerned, having a party to celebrate the gold medal is fine, but causing damage in such a large scale cannot be tolerated.
19:29 August 28, 2012 by twisted
Make them pay !!!
20:48 August 28, 2012 by Username2
What would you expect from anyone that plays games for a living, and like all sports freaks combined IQ of a wet fence post.

Make the halfwits pay.
12:01 August 29, 2012 by TheWonderer
These comments show the usual situation: people condemn before knowing the facts.

If you would criticize less but do a bit more of research, you would find out that that is bogus: http://www.stern.de/sport/olympia/olympia-2012/olympiafeier-auf-der-ms-deutschland-deutscher-hockey-bund-will-nicht-fuer-partyschaeden-haften-1885675.html#utm_source=sternde&utm_medium=zhp&utm_campaign=sport&utm_content=snippet-links

Both the Captain and differend other folks mentioned that there has been damage (which is bad enough!), but also declared it to be of minor nature.

So do not judge too quickly - who knows who placed that rumour about excessive damage... After all, only bad news is good news.

My advice: Read, understand, think and then write - in this order.

TheWonderer
15:35 August 29, 2012 by raandy
@username2

I assume you are not a sports fan or a sports person.It is to bad the German Hockey Team is having problems (after their great performance)with the shipping company , but to call these people half wits only demonstrates to me that you are a few bricks shy of a load.
18:58 August 30, 2012 by Username2
raandy .....Your a halfwit, what does that demonstrate to you.

They must pay, and you being the nuff nuff that you are to defend them should help. If your dole money allows it.
15:57 August 31, 2012 by raandy
username 2 you can tell a fool but you can't tell em much
16:20 August 31, 2012 by storymann
@username2

Your comments about people that play sports can only be the result of you being that little boy, the one with the pink shoes who was always picked on by the other boys.You were no good at sports and you had a crush on your sisters boyfriend you hate those jocks because you could never be one.

Instead of insulting the Germans you should get out your tinker bell costume for the gay "ball" the only ball you can participate in.
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