When the world gets closer.

We help you see farther.

Sign up to our expressly international daily newsletter.

Already a subscriber? Log in.

You've reach your limit of free articles.

Get unlimited access to Worldcrunch

You can cancel anytime.

SUBSCRIBERS BENEFITS

Ad-free experience NEW

Exclusive international news coverage

Access to Worldcrunch archives

Monthly Access

30-day free trial, then $2.90 per month.

Annual Access BEST VALUE

$19.90 per year, save $14.90 compared to monthly billing.save $14.90.

Subscribe to Worldcrunch
Germany

Seven Reasons To Care About Germany-Greece Eurozone Soccer Death Match

Worldcrunch

HEADLINES The German and Greek press have been "at war" for nearly a week. Following Greece's qualifying win against Russia on Saturday, Athens-based Sports Day"s front page was a message to Germany. "Angela, get ready! Did you see how your debtors qualified?"...."Give us Merkel," headlined Greek soccer outlet Goal News. And the very confident Adesmeftos Typos added: "Greek football is better than Greek politics. It will kick Germany out of the Euro."

German tabloid Bild wrote, "Be happy Greeks, the defeat on Friday is a gift. Against Jogi Loew, no rescue fund will help you." The Berliner Kurier, had a mockup picture of the Greek team wearing Germany jerseys with this caption: "Grateful Greeks show their new sponsors for the quarter-finals."

LOADED NAMES On Tuesday, Greece's striker said: "We can't mix soccer and politics." His name: Giorgos Samaras, as in Antonis Samaras, Greece's new Prime Minister, but they are not related.

COACHES PLAY POLITICS Players and coaches have rejected any influence of politics on the game, but no one did it quite like Joachim Loew. Watch his comment here.

CHANCE-LLOR Angela Merkel, who is considered a lucky charm for the Mannschaft, will be in attendance in Gdansk, Poland. And yes...she will definitely see a country leave the Euro.

LINKS Germans and Greeks may dislike each other these days but their teams have strong ties. Greece's previous coach was German star Otto Reaghel. Eight Greek players have played in Germany, Jose Holebas was born there and Kostas Mitroglou was raised there.

DON'T FORGET WHO WON LAST In 2004, Greece won the Euro, something powerhouse Germany hasn't done since 1996.

HISTORY And because Germany-Greece is a good reason to watch this from Monty Python...!

You've reached your limit of free articles.

To read the full story, start your free trial today.

Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.

Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.

Insights from the widest range of perspectives, languages and countries.

FOCUS: Russia-Ukraine War

Is Lukashenko Sick? Putin Too? Why Ukraine Won't Be Waiting For Dictators To Die

A spate of speculation on the health of Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko follows similar reports about would-be Vladimir Putin illnesses. Such talk feeds the hope of the Russian opposition and many in the West. Ukrainians have a different agenda — and timetable.

Photo of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (center) in Moscow on May 9

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (center) in Moscow on May 9

Anna Akage

-Analysis-

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko was not enjoying the parade.

Appearing in Moscow’s Red Square for the May 9 Victory Day celebration, the 68-year-old strongman looked quite ill, and wore a bandage on his arm.

Stay up-to-date with the latest on the Russia-Ukraine war, with our exclusive international coverage.

Sign up to our free daily newsletter.

He missed the Kremlin breakfast and didn't take the walk with Vladimir Putin and other heads of state across the Square to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, reaching it by electric car instead, reports independent Russian news outlet Agents.Media reports reports.

When he then missed the Belarus celebration of the Day of the State Flag, Emblem and Anthem, rumors started to circulate that Lukashenko might have a serious health problem.

And for nearly a week, he vanished.

Keep reading...Show less

You've reached your limit of free articles.

To read the full story, start your free trial today.

Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.

Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.

Insights from the widest range of perspectives, languages and countries.

Already a subscriber? Log in.

You've reach your limit of free articles.

Get unlimited access to Worldcrunch

You can cancel anytime.

SUBSCRIBERS BENEFITS

Ad-free experience NEW

Exclusive international news coverage

Access to Worldcrunch archives

Monthly Access

30-day free trial, then $2.90 per month.

Annual Access BEST VALUE

$19.90 per year, save $14.90 compared to monthly billing.save $14.90.

Subscribe to Worldcrunch

The latest