Germany's blind footballers make their mark

Berlin's historical Reichstag provided a memorable backdrop to a successful debut by Germany's blind football team as they defeated Turkey on a day dedicated to blind and visually impaired players.

The 3-2 victory for the Germany team in their first-ever home game capped a day of activities organised by the Sepp Herberger Foundation of the German Football Association (DFB) in cooperation with the country's disability sports association and association for blind and visually impaired people.

The blind football team's maiden international on 20 May was staged on an artificial pitch in front of the Reichstag parliament building. Around 1,000 spectators were treated to a late winning goal from Michael Wahl, a Cologne-based player who struck three minutes from time via the woodwork. Playing with a ball containing bearings that made a noise when moved, the hosts trailed their Turkish visitors midway through the second half, yet surprised both themselves and coach Ulrich Pfisterer with their determined fightback.

"I'd given up hope of winning," Wahl admitted afterwards. "Playing here is a great honour for blind football. Our team would like to thank the parliament, because we know how many other athletes would love to compete here in front of the Reichstag." Thomas Bach, president of the German Olympic Committee, who followed the action alongside leading politicians, added: "The players were very impressive. I had not expected this level of performance."

The president of the German parliament, Norbert Lammert, had opened the day's activities, and Thomas de Maiziere, minister of the interior, presented a special prize to VfB Gelsenkirchen on behalf of German chancellor and patron of the event, Angela Merkel. The award was in recognition of the integration of blind and visually impaired athletes into the club. DFB vice-president Karl Rothmund hoped this would send out a positive message: "We want to encourage as many clubs as possible to involve blind footballers."