2023-09-10 02:39:29
The Prince and Pistorius dueled on the goal wall!
Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (63, SPD) and Prince Harry (38) opened the “Invictus Games” founded by the royal on Saturday evening in front of 20,000 spectators. The royal said in the NRW state capital: “I am a Düsseldorfer.” In order to be at the ZDF sports studio on time, a Luftwaffe helicopter quickly flew the duo to Mainz after the starting signal at 7:50 p.m. – to the big TV hit!
Harry opened the games in the Düsseldorf Arena
Foto: 2023 Getty Images
Because it was a real coup for ZDF to welcome the Duke of Sussex on the couch. With Pistorius, currently Germany’s most popular politician, Harry is promoting respect for wounded soldiers. Over 500 athletes from 21 countries are taking part in the games for war disabled people, which are taking place in Germany for the first time.
The fact that the sports festival has become so prominent is of course due to its founder: Prince Harry. And when presenter Katrin Müller-Hohenstein (58) announced it, she was beaming from ear to ear: “It’s not an evening like any other in the sports studio here in Mainz.”
Big cheers for Harry on ZDF
US athlete Angelo Anderson and German Jens Niemeyer arrive to applause – both served in the Afghanistan war. Then there is great cheering for ex-soldier Harry and the Federal Minister of Defense.
Sitting alongside the celebrities were those who had experienced the suffering of war firsthand. Despite severe physical and mental injuries, they fought their way back to life
Photo: ZDF
“It was a very warm welcome,” praises the son of King Charles III. (74) the start in Düsseldorf. There is applause in the sports studio during a clip for the German words that Harry addressed to his audience there. What will he do on the Rhine in the next few days? “I watch as much sports as possible!”
Harry is still looking for spectators
He wants to attract even more interested people to Düsseldorf, says: “We still have free seats.” Entry to the “Invictus Games” is free. Minister Pistorius will hold award ceremonies on Sunday.
Pistorius and the Prince in the ZDF sports studio
Photo: ZDF
The ceremonial competitions (superstar Macklemore appeared at the opening) are about a serious matter, as Harry tells ZDF: “When I returned from Afghanistan in 2008 with wounded soldiers on the plane, it changed my life.”
Macklemore supported the competition with an opening performance
Photo: Christian Knieps
Through sport he wants to give mentally and physically wounded military, fire service and police members the chance to “live again”.
Pistorius wants to value soldiers more
When moderator Sven Voss (47) asked the minister about the appreciation for veterans in Germany, he first referred to the “break caused by Nazi Germany”. But, says Pistorius: “The awareness that armed forces are needed is back. Soldiers are injured and killed. Then it is our job to ensure that they are honored and respected. This is something we can still improve in Germany.”
also read
Ex-paratrooper Jens Niemeyer, who fought for Germany in Afghanistan, speaks about his experience with emotional wounds: “Thank you for being seen. The camaraderie doesn’t stop after the wound – it has to last afterward.” Since his deployment, he has suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.
He is waging a battle against invisible forces!
In the studio he describes that it was only after nine and a half years that he realized he needed help. He was irritable and restless.
Veteran had an addiction to exercise and pills
“It dragged on through sport and pill addiction until day X, when nothing worked anymore.” The athlete has been in therapy for three and a half years – and thanks the royal for the “Invictus Games”: “It gave me orientation and Showed that I’m not alone.”
American Angelo Anderson (left) was shot at while on patrol in Afghanistan: “At first I had the feeling that I had abandoned my comrades.” Next to him is the German Jens Niemeyer
Photo: ZDF
Then Katrin Müller-Hohenstein asks Harry: “You also noticed that there was something wrong with me…”
The Prince: “Launching the Invictus Games was a big help for me. That wasn’t entirely clear to me from the start. Hearing stories similar to the ones I experienced was the important moment for me.”
Criticism of “military games”
When the presenter confronted the Defense Minister with accusations of supporting “military games sponsored by the arms industry,” Pistorius ignored the criticism: “This accusation is completely unfounded. This shows what horrors war means and what war can do. It has nothing to do with heroization – quite the opposite.”
The soldiers are role models: “They show that you can fight your way back to life through sport.”
Boris Pistorius stood behind the veterans
Photo: ZDF
His wish for Düsseldorf: “To show the public that war is not a computer game.” Harry adds: “I would like to see smiling faces, high fives and hugs more than anything else.”
Then Harry loses his good mood
The positive mood briefly changes when the presenter shows a photo of Harry at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. You: “Isn’t that funny, Harry…Prince Harry?” He forces a pained smile and shakes his head!
And in the end, even a prince can’t avoid shooting on the goal wall. “What happens if you don’t score?” Harry wants to know. Sven Voss: “You have to wear a German jersey.” Deal!
Harry competes against Pistorius and the two veterans, is supposed to start – and hesitates: “Why do I have to go first?” Müller-Hohenstein: “Because you are Prince Harry!”
Prince Harry didn’t score
The Duke dances and shoots at the goal wall. Besides! Missed again! And next to it again…
So it’s Pistorius’ turn. Harry asks, “Which ball do you want?” This one is rubbish.” Then the minister takes aim – and hits it straight away! And again!
A direct hit for the defense minister – and on the first attempt
All the other balls miss, even the ex-soldiers don’t hit. “The winner is Boris Pistorius,” announces Sven Voss.
Prinz suggests Pistorius as DFB coach
Harry says: “Is this the new football coach for Germany? He could still do that on the side.”
Voss: “The man for all occasions, so to speak…” Because no one had a Germany jersey ready for Harry, he had to put on a Mainz 05 scarf – and beamed!
Does Harry know the club whose scarf he put on?
Conclusion: This TV coup was a direct hit for ZDF, Harry – and especially Boris Pistorius! The Royal should soon appear with Meghan instead of a minister at his side – the Duchess of Sussex is expected in Düsseldorf at the end of the week.
#Prince #Harry #ZDF #sports #studio #wear #fan #scarf #Entertainment