The Black & Yellows discover Vietnam

2022-11-29 05:15 PM by Borussia Dortmund–  3m read

The Borussia Dortmund team have arrived in Vietnam as part of their 2022 ASIA TOUR and took Tuesday as an opportunity to get to know the capital city Hanoi.

"Borussia Dortmund, welcome to Vietnam!" shouted one resident at the Black & Yellows when he recognised them. Wherever the BVB players went, they were given a friendly welcome. The people waved at them, pulled out their smartphones and were quick to ask for selfies and autographs. Mats Hummels proved particularly popular. At times, there was no way forwards for him on the tour of Hanoi. The defender was only too happy to fulfil all the fans' wishes. "Every sportsman lives off the fans who watch on TV and come to the stadium, buy tickets, and support their team and players. This is a way of giving something back," he said, explaining why he patiently takes time for the fans. "I think you can make many people happy by doing this. Before I turned professional, I was a big football fan myself. I can remember collecting autographs and getting my first shirt from a player. Those memories will stay forever."

Hummels and his team-mates Alexander Meyer, Marco Pasalic, Justin Njinmah and Moritz Broschinski joined the coaching team of Edin Terzic, Sebastian Geppert and Matthias Kleinsteiber for a tour of Hanoi. The first highlight: crossing the road while cars and countless scooters flew by. Simply keep going, don't hesitate, stop or speed up – that was the tour guide's advice. It works. Upon arrival on the other side of the street, the group ordered a traditional 'egg coffee'. "Unbelievably delicious," was Broschinski's verdict. The cafe was located on the famous "Train Street", a narrow alley through which a train passes. With no train coming through, the players and coaches walked a short way along the platforms. Following a short stop at a restaurant, where the typical Vietnamese pho soup is served, the travelling contingent all did a rickshaw tour and experienced Hanoi's bustling traffic first-hand. "We saw a few cool places and got a taste for the city's flair," said Hummels, who was especially fascinated by the traffic. "I spent the rickshaw tour enjoying how everyone somehow manages to get past each other without an accident." 

The second group of players also went on a rickshaw tour. Salih Özcan, Felix Passlack, Antonios Papadopoulos, Julian Rijkhoff, Marcel Lotka, Ole Pohlmann and Göktan Gürpüz paid a visit to Hoan Kiem Lake and a temple. At the end of the tour, numerous fans were waiting for the players, who patiently signed autographs and posed for selfies.

A third group including Donyell Malen, Emre Can and Soumaila Coulibaly – as well as legends Roman Weidenfeller and Patrick Owomoyela – set off for a special football match which PUMA had invited 30 children to. After some passing drills, the players and two influencers took on the youngsters – and clearly lost. Marco Reus was unable to play due to his injury but was still present and was given a frenetic reception. Christina Reinke

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