‘My mum requested why Baddiel and Skinner wore my shirt of their Three Lions video – I didn’t have the center to inform her why our surname is so humorous’: German star on being part of English soccer tradition
He was the butt of Baddiel and Skinner’s jokes, however Germany ahead Stefan Kuntz would find yourself having the final chortle at Euro 96.
The English comedy duo have been entrance and centre of the cultural zeitgeist in 1996, following up their iconic TV programme Fantasy Soccer League with the discharge of Three Lions, a tune that is still a terrace anthem to this present day.
The duo referenced the unfortunately-named Kuntz in each Fantasy Soccer League after which within the video for Three Lions, each in 1996 and two years later once they up to date the tune for the 1998 World Cup.
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Chatting with FourFourTwo, Kuntz instructed us what he manufactured from the continued joke.
“I knew how one can pronounce my title and what which means in England!” he laughs. “The tune was highly regarded right here in Germany as nicely, and when the music video got here out in 1998, my mum requested me why they have been all carrying Germany shirts with ‘Kuntz’ on the again. I didn’t have the center to inform her what our title meant, so I stated they have been simply aggravated that I scored in opposition to them in 1996.”
That purpose Kuntz references was the equaliser within the Wembley semi-final, as he cancelled out Alan Shearer’s solely purpose because the Germans broke English hearts once they beat the hosts on penalties.
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Stefan Kuntz throughout his taking part in days (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
“It was within the pre-internet period and plenty of us had by no means seen English soccer stadiums within the flesh,” Kuntz remembers when requested about his purpose. “You didn’t simply ‘see’ Wembley; you ‘felt’ it. Towards England, I had goosebumps throughout the warm-up after which the nationwide anthems. I knew earlier than kick-off that it was going to be a really big day, regardless of the consequence.
“It was clearly additional particular for me as I scored within the sport in addition to within the shootout. I recall a few of the England followers, upset as they have been, applauding us off the pitch. That was touching. The celebrations within the dressing room after we received may also stick with me without end.”
Germany would then go on to beat the Czech Republic within the ultimate, lifting the trophy for the third time, following the 1972 and 1980 wins as West Germany.
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