Italians’ affection overwhelmed Jürgen Sparwasser

The’affection of the Italians overwhelmed Jürgen Sparwasser

Jürgen Sparwasser these days è in Italy to present the book "Sparwasser. The’hero who tradesì" by Giovanni Tosco (Minerva Editions). A splendid volume, in which the history of the GDR is reconstructed through the life of the footballer who in 1974 decided the "Wall Derby" played in Hamburg as part of the world championships.

Sportal.it interviewed him exclusively, taking advantage of his availability, that of the publisher and a very professional interpreter. "Of course I would have liked to play in an Italian team, but I never received offers: maybe becauseé I cost too much" he began amused.

"It è not easy for me to say which Italian footballer I would have liked to play with more, there’were so many good ones at that time… But I really would have liked to measure myself with your league and with your footballers, becauseé I think I would have been up to it’he added.

"I have been to other countries and I have found interest in my story, but so much warmth as what I am receiving these days in Italy surprises me so much, also becauseé I did not think I would have fame in a country where I have never played a single championship game. Then now I have gray hair, I am talking about an episode that happened fifty’years ago and under the jersey is swelling belly… yet I see that the’affection towards me has not è vanished, thisò touched and affected me really a lot" reported then the 76-year-old from Halberstadt.

Closing on what he is eating and what he would like to eat in these days spent in the Peninsula: "Only pasta!". And he said it in Italian…