German goalkeeper Robert Encke commits suicide!

Rage

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German goalkeeper Enke commits suicide

AFP - 10 November 2009


German national football team´s goalkeeper
Robert Enke, seen here in September 2009,
has been killed after being hit by a train
at a level crossing, police said on Tuesday.



German national football team´s goalkeeper Robert Enke, seen here in September 2009, has been killed after being hit by a train at a level crossing, police said on Tuesday.

HANOVER, Germany (AFP) - German international goalkeeper Robert Enke has been killed after he threw himself under a train at a level crossing, police said on Tuesday.

"There has been fatality at a level crossing at Neustadt am Rubenberge," police spokeswoman Martina Stern told AFP.

"He threw himself under a train and died of his injuries. It was definitely suicide," she added.

Jorg Neblung, a close friend and advisor to the eight-times capped goalkeeper, also confirmed it was suicide.

"I can confirm that it was suicide," he said.

"Robert took his own life shortly before six o'clock (1700GMT).

"A press conference in Hannover on Wednesday will reveal more details," he added.

The 32-year-old Germany and Hannover 96 goalkeeper - who leaves a widow and a daughter of eight months who they adopted in May three years after their two-year-old daughter died of a heart illness - had been suffering from an intestinal infection.

He pulled out of the Germany squad two days ahead of their 4-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Azerbaijan in early September.

However, recently he had professed himself delighted to have returned to training last month.

"It has been a long time, almost a quarter of the season. However, once I resumed training I felt really well," said Enke, who played his last match for the club in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Hamburg.

His death left those closest to him both personally and professionally in total shock.

"We're in shock. I don't know what to say," said national manager Oliver Bierhoff, who along with national coach Joachim Lowe informed his fellow international team-mates - who are preparing for a friendly with Chile this weekend, of the tragedy.

His club president Martin Kind was left stunned.

"It is a total catastrophe. I am finding it hard to understand," said Kind.

Later around 300 of the club's fans and several of his club-mates gathered outside the club's offices as a mark of respect with some laying down bouquets of flowers and lighting candles.

Enke was understudy to then first-team 'keeper Jens Lehmann during the 2008 European championships and had been in line to fill his boots before being taken ill in September and October.

During that time his rival Rene Adler increased his chances of taking over the role in the national team who have qualified for the 2010 World Cup finals.

Enke had also at one time been linked with a move to German giants Bayern Munich where the former German Under-21 international Michael Rensing had not impressed in his first season between the posts.

However, Uli Hoeness, Bayern's general manager, had made clear they were not interested in paying the 10million euros transfer fee.

Several people had advised Enke, who had previously had spells at Benfica, Barcelona and Tenerife, to leave Hannover for a more prestigious club and one that was playing in European club competition so he would improve his chances of becoming German number one.


Germany goalkeeper Enke commits suicide - Soccerway

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YouTube - Shock Over Germany Goalkeeper Robert Enke Suicide
 

Rage

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Suicide keeper battled depression

22:03 GMT, Wednesday, 11 November 2009


Watch: Video

Germany goalkeeper Robert Enke, who committed suicide on Tuesday, had been battling depression and was first treated for the illness in 2003.

His widow Teresa said he feared their adopted daughter Leila would be removed if his illness became public knowledge.

He had also struggled to overcome the death of their biological daughter Lara, who died at the age of two in 2006 of a rare heart condition.

Germany have called off their friendly with Chile in Cologne on Saturday.

Enke, 32, who had played for clubs in Germany, Spain, Portugal and Turkey before settling at Hannover 96 in 2004, walked into the path of a train near his home having left a suicide letter in which he apologised for hiding the condition of his mental state.



Enke's widow Teresa bravely confronted the media


Teresa Enke said: "I tried to be there for him, said that football is not everything. There are many beautiful things in life. It is not hopeless. We had Lara, we have Leila.

"I always wanted to help him to get through it. He didn't want it to come out because of fear. He was scared of losing Leila.

"It is the fear of what people will think when you have a child and the father suffers from depression. I always said to him that that is not a problem."

The couple had adopted eight-month-old Leila in May, and Teresa said her husband had cared for the girl "with love - until the end."

She continued: "When he was acutely depressed, then that was a tough time. That is clear because he thought there was no hope of a recovery on the horizon for him.

"After Lara's death everything drew us closer together, we thought that we would achieve everything. I tried to tell him that there is always a solution.

"I drove to training with him. I wanted to help him to get through it. He didn't want to accept help any more. Football was everything. It was his life. The team gave him security."

A memorial service was held on Wednesday evening in Hannover with a congregation of 800 which included representatives of the DFB and Germany captain Michael Ballack.

Outside the church, thousands of fans marched silently to Hannover's Niedersachsen Stadion, led by Hannover's director of sport, Jorg Schmadtke, coach Andreas Bergmann and Enke's agent and friend Jorg Neblung, who together held a banner with Enke's face and the words 'rest in peace'.

Enke was hit by a train travelling at 100mph as it passed through a level crossing on its route between Hamburg and Bremen.

His wife Teresa, making a courageous appearance in front of the media, said the couple had tried to overcome years of depression through therapy.



Born: 24/8/77, Jena, East Germany
Debut: 1995-96
Clubs: Carl Zeiss Jena, Borussia Monchengladbach, Benfica, Barcelona, Fenerbahce, Tenerife, Hannover 96
Germany debut: 27/3/07 versus Denmark Caps: 8
Awards: Bundesliga goalkeeper of the season 2008-09


Dressed in black and struggling to hold back tears, she said: "We thought we could do everything and we could do it with love but you can't always do it."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel contacted Enke's family.

"She communicated her shock and compassion to the widow of Robert Enke in a very personal letter," said government spokesman Christoph Steegmans.

Enke had won eight international caps and was expected by many to be the choice to play as goalkeeper for Germany in the World Cup in South Africa in 2010.

His doctor said he had been treating Enke since 2003, during a turbulent time when the goalkeeper had several unsuccessful transfers to clubs.

"He suffered from depression and fear of failure," Valentin Markser told reporters.

Markser said the player refused to be treated on the day of his suicide, saying he was feeling well.

Enke had lived in the shadow of more illustrious goalkeepers Oliver Kahn and Jens Lehmann for almost a decade - and it was only after the latter's international retirement last year that he emerged as a leading contender for the position, despite earning his first squad call-up in 1999.

One of the two Spanish clubs he had represented, Barcelona, held a minute's silence before dedicating their King's Cup victory over Cultural Leonesa to Enke on Tuesday.

The other, Tenerife, said their players would wear black armbands in their La Liga match at the weekend. All teams in the top two tiers of Germany's Bundesliga will observe a minute's silence and wear black armbands in their next round of matches on 21-22 November.

Hundreds of fans gathered outside the Hanover stadium and offices on Wednesday, leaving flowers and lighting candles in Enke's memory.

"We loved him. He was our idol," one fan said. "We will never have someone like him. Not only for us but for the history of football this is a great tragedy."


BBC SPORT | Football | Internationals | Suicide keeper battled depression
 

enlightened1

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Top player, very sad.
RIP Enke. My heart goes out to his wife who had lost her 2 year old baby & now her husband too (in such a way). I hope she has many friends & family who will take care of her at this difficult moment.


Germany's World Cup goalkeeper Robert Enke committed suicide because he feared his adopted daughter would be taken away from him, it emerged today. The footballer, whose first child Lara had died from a heart condition at the age of two, threw himself in front of an express train last night. Speaking today, his distraught widow revealed he had believed the authorities would take away eight-month-old Leila, because he was depressed.


Family man: Robert Enke with his daughter Lara shortly before her death in 2006

Teresa Enke said: 'I tried to be there for him and said that football is not everything. There are many beautiful things in life. It is not hopeless. 'We had Lara, we have Leila. I always wanted to help him to get through it. He didn't want it to come out because of fear. He was scared of losing Leila.


Distraught: Enke's widow Teresa, pictured today, identified her husband's body

'It is the fear of what people will think when you have a child and the father suffers from depression. 'Robert cared for Leila with love - until the end.'


Hanover's mayor Stephan Weil (L) stands by as Teresa Enke (C) lights a candle during the memorial service.


Fans gather at the memorial for national goalkeeper Robert Enke


The couple had adopted Leila in May after losing Lara to a rare heart condition in 2006. Enke, 32, who played for the German squad as well as Hannover 96, had struggled to cope with her death and still visited her grave every day. Yesterday, he attended training as usual before driving his black Mercedes 4X4 to a railway crossing at Neustadt am Rubenberge - just 200 yards from her burial site. He left his wallet and keys on the passenger seat along with some loose change. He did not bother to lock the car.

Minutes later, he flung himself in front of the oncoming Hamburg to Bremen express which was travelling at 100mph.


Germany captain Michael Ballack lights a candle during a church service for Robert Enke at the Marktkirche in Hanover


German national football team coach Joachim Loew pays his respects.


His wife identified his mangled remains at the scene and was so shocked she had to be sedated. Speaking today, she gave an emotional insight into the depression which had blighted his life since 2003 when he was playing for Barcelona. 'When he was acutely depressed, then that was a tough time,' she said 'That is clear because he thought there was no hope of a recovery on the horizon for him. 'After Lara's death everything drew us closer together, we thought that we would achieve everything.

'I tried to tell him that there is always a solution. I drove to training with him. I wanted to help him to get through it. 'He didn't want to accept help any more.'


Catholic priest Heinrich Plochg holds Robert Enke's keeper's gloves during the memorial service.


Supporters light candles in memory of German goalkeeper Robert Enke

She added that football had always been a release for her husband. 'Football was everything,' she said. 'It was his life. The team gave him security. 'When he started to get better again he said it's so nice to be part of the team again. 'Training was his security. That he could drive to training every time was the most important thing for him.'


Football scarves are hung by candles lit in memory of Enke outside the stadium of first division Bundesliga football club Hannover 96

Enke had left a suicide note. In it, he apologised to his family and the staff treating him for deliberately misleading them into believing he was better. 'It was necessary to carry out the suicide plans,' he wrote. The world of football was also struggling to come to terms with Enke's death. The German FA confirmed a friendly with Chile in Cologne on Saturday had been called off as a mark of respect.


From left: Oliver Bierhoff, national team manager, head coach Joachim Loew and midfielder Michael Ballack attend a service for Enke held in Hanover
 

enlightened1

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At an earlier press conference Bierhoff broke down with emotion while talking about Enke. It was announced that the country's friendly against Chile had been cancelled out of respect for the player

Meanwhile, hundreds of Hannover fans queued to pay tribute. Hannover set up a book of condolence outside the AWD Arena. Some fans lit candles and left scarves and shirts.

'I'm stunned. I don't know what to say,' captain Michael Ballack said. 'Robert Enke was a wonderful person who also had to deal with hard blows of fate,' said Theo Zwanziger, the head of Germany's football federation. National team coach Joachim Loew and manager Oliver Bierhoff said: 'We are all shocked, we are speechless'.


Search: Workers surround the train in the aftermath of the Robert Enke's apparent suicide between Hamburg and Bremen


'Exceptional athlete': Fans gather outside a football stadium in Hanover, Germany, to light candles following the death of the goalkeeper

Franz Beckenbauer, Germany’s 'Mr Football', said: 'I feel unending sadness. We have lost a great footballer and a great guy. 'When you get news like this all other problems in life seem small.' Oliver Bierhoff, the national manager, broke down at a press conference today as he spoke of the death of Enke. 'Words fail us at his loss,' he said. 'The entire team, everyone, is in deep shock.'

Chancellor Angela Merkel also expressed her 'great sadness' at the news of his death and said her entire government sent its condolences to his family.


Tribute: One fan laid a rose on a Hannover 96 shirt at the site where the goalkeeper committed suicide


Star: Robert Enke in action for Germany against Belgium in August last year

Enke played eight matches for Germany and was a front-runner for the goalkeeping job at next year's World Cup in South Africa. He made his debut in March 2007 in a 1-0 loss to Denmark. His last game was on August 12 in a 2-0 win over Azerbaijan. He had played 196 Bundesliga games. Enke had recently come down with a bacterial stomach illness, but was well enough to play for Hannover last weekend - his last game before his death. He had discovered his love of football early in his life. At the age of eight, he signed up to his local club SV Jena in central Germany to pursue his dream of becoming a professional footballer.

But it wasn't until 1995 that he made his professional debut, ironically playing against Hannover 96 in city club FC Carl Zeiss Jena. In 1997, Enke made his debut on the German Under-21 team. Despite moving to Portugal to further his career in 1999, Enke never forgot his roots, and was named as part of Germany's squad for the Confederations Cup in July of that year. Enke moved to Barcelona in 2002 before quickly moving on to Turkish team Fenerbahce, but he left that club after just one game where he was pelted with missiles by locals on the pitch. The sportsman then signed to Tenerife, followed by Spain's Segunda Division, before signing a two-year deal with Hannover in July 2004. In December 2006 Enke then signed a deal to stay at Hannover until the end of the 2009-10 season.
 

bengalraider

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R.I.P Robert Enke
My condolences to his family and friends.
 

enlightened1

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More than 45,000 fans, friends and team mates have paid their last respects to Germany's national goalkeeper Robert Enke, who killed himself on Tuesday.

His flower-draped coffin was put in the middle of the stadium of his team, Hanover 96, for the memorial ceremony.

"Robert Enke will never come back to this stadium, the place where he conquered our hearts," Hanover 96 club president Martin Kind said.

Enke, 32, who suffered from depression, threw himself under a commuter train.

He had been expected to play his part in the national team at the World Cup finals in South Africa in June 2010.

'Heavy hearts'

People came from all over Germany to attend the memorial service.

German politicians and personalities from the sports world were also present at the memorial ceremony, in addition to the entire national team.

Outside, hundreds of candles and messages had been left by fans in tribute to the popular player.

Two giant video screens were erected for those unable to get inside. The ceremony was broadcast on five German channels.

Enke's wife Teresa cried as she stood in front of the coffin, which was covered in white flowers.

Members of the German national team - dressed in black - also approached the coffin to say goodbye.

Captain Michael Ballack laid a wreath by the coffin.

"You were a number one in the real sense of the word. This is why our hearts are so heavy," Martin Kind said.

The governor of Lower Saxony, Christian Wulff, said that Enke's death should make people rethink society's values.

"We don't need flawless robots. We need human beings with rough edges, with all their weaknesses and wonderful qualities," Mr Wulff said.

"We can only guess how big the pressure was that weighed on him."

As Enke's coffin was driven away, the anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone" was played.

Enke will be buried later during a private ceremony.

Six of his former Hanover 96 club team mates will carry the coffin to its final resting place.

His grave will be next to that of his two-year-old daughter, who died from a heart infection.

Enke's death shocked the football world and there has been a huge outpouring of grief in Germany, says the BBC's Tristana Moore in Berlin.

For the past six years, Robert Enke had kept his depression a secret to protect his private life and career as a professional footballer.

During the service, there was a standing ovation for Enke's widow Teresa who bravely spoke out about her husband's depression at a news conference a day after he committed suicide.

Hanover Mayor Stephan Weil said Teresa Enke had shown remarkable courage by revealing her husband's struggle with depression and he said she had helped break the taboo of mental illness in society.
 

GokuInd

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What a loss for German soccer.....he was really a nice guy....and an outstanding sportsman...
The funeral service live from the Hannover stadium was aired today on German TV around noon.

I feel sorry for his family

RIP. God bless.
 

Pintu

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Rest in Peace , Encke , you will be alive in between us through your memories , Condolence to his family.

Regards
 

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