Newcastle United - what is success this season?
Newcastle United latest news: Nick Woltemade has won a prestigious German football award.
Woltemade, along with Ervin Fetahovic, the coach of SG Markgraflerland U17’s girls team, were presented with the award on Monday as Germany prepare for two World Cup qualifying matches against Slovakia and Luxembourg during the international break. Fetahovic was given the award after instructing his team to allow SC Freiburg U17’s to score after his team took a 4-2 lead during a match between the two sides after an injury to the opposition goalkeeper.
Woltemade, meanwhile, was given the award following his actions after last season’s DFB Pokal final. Woltemade was part of the Stuttgart team that triumphed in German football’s most prestigious cup competition at the Olympiastadion in Berlin in May.
The future Magpies man scored his side’s opening goal on that day as they triumphed 4-2. Their opponents that day were third-tier side Arminia Bielfeld who had beaten four Bundesliga clubs in the form of Union Berlin, SC Freiburg, Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen en route to the final.
At the end of that final, Woltemade was pictured congratulating his opponents for their extraordinary run to the final before joining his teammates in their celebrations. For reference, Stuttgart’s last DFB Pokal triumph came back in 1997.
Nick Woltemade receives prestigious German award
Previous winners of the DFB’s Fair Play Medal have included former Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes, Miroslav Klose and Niko Kovac. On the decision to name Woltemade as one of the winners of the award, 1st DFB Vice President and Chairman of the Fair Play Jury, Ronny Zimmermann, said:“Football thrives on emotions, but also on respect, decency, and fairness.
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“Week after week, we witness impressive examples of sportsmanship on Germany's football pitches. This year's award winners impressively demonstrate what fair play looks like in practice.
“In a moment of triumph, Nick Woltemade put his teammates and opponents, not himself, in the spotlight. It is gestures like these that distinguish our sport and make it more than just a game.”
Speaking after that final in May, Woltemade revealed the reasons for his actions post-match, stating: "I congratulated them on such a performance, on such a season. When you look at their whole journey, not just in the 3rd division, but also the cup run – it's a phenomenal season.
“I just wanted to congratulate them again. I think that's the right thing to do.
“And I still have plenty of time to celebrate with the fans, my family, and my team. But I wanted to congratulate each and every one of them again."
Woltemade netted 17 goals in all competitions during his final season at Stuttgart, including five in the DFB Pokal en route to Stuttgart’s eventual triumph. He has supported that campaign with six goals in 14 matches in all competitions for Newcastle United this season.
Woltemade’s focus for the next week, though, is on the German national team and their pursuit of confirming their place at next summer’s World Cup. Woltemade netted his first ever international goal during the last international break as Germany overcame Northern Ireland in Belfast.
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