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German-Dutch game 'sign of solidarity': Löw

The Local Germany
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German-Dutch game 'sign of solidarity': Löw
Joachim Löw on the sidelines at the Germany-France friendly on Friday, the day of the Paris terror attacks. Photo: DPA

Germany's planned friendly against the Netherlands must go ahead on Tuesday as a "clear symbol for freedom, democracy and solidarity with our French friends," national coach Joachim Löw said on Monday.

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Löw had "thoughts about whether this game can go ahead, about whether there isn't something more important than football," he told a press conference.

The Mannschaft were trapped in the Stade de France overnight on Friday after suicide bombers blew themselves up outside the arena during the Germany-France friendly.

But after sleeping on it, the national coach said that "the game has a clear message... Our thoughts will be with the relatives of the victims, we will empathise and mourn with them and think of all French people.

"That's why I hope very much that this much-quoted sporting rivalry fades into the background in tomorrow's game. If we understand it that way, then we will have won regardless of the result."

Löw said that he hadn't spoken with the players individually before or after six, including captain Bastian Schweinsteiger, decided not to take part in the game in Hanover.

He added that he was certain that the game would be well secured by the authorities and that the European Championship would still be held in France next year.

SEE ALSO: 'Stunned' Schweini to miss Netherlands match

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