England team visit Auschwitz.

[mantis84]

F1GTRUeno said:

I do wonder if the Germans will go?

Sort of - they sent a few players along, but not the whole team.

[Podie]

Auschwitz / Birkenau is a strange place. I went about 15 years ago with my father. It was February and freezing cold and that just made it seem more stark and scary. The lack of wildlife was also a little alarming.

The old man broke down in tears, as a photo he saw reminded him of my sister. He's from the "blokes don't cry" mould, and iit was the first time I'd seen him cry.

It was another 24 hours before it hit me.

Whilst not exactly a tourist thing to do, it is worth visiting IMO.

[Pothole]

F1GTRUeno said:

I do wonder if the Germans will go?

why?

[F1GTRUeno]

Pothole said:

why?

Well it would be odd if all the rest of them went and Germany didn't (though the question was answered above about whether they did or not).

Have no idea how Germans are received at Auschwitz, or even if any go.

[Lost soul]

F1GTRUeno said:

Have no idea how Germans are received at Auschwitz, or even if any go.

Its an open place with no recriminations , unless you are a Nazi i guess

[Puggit]

GestapoWatch said:

One or two of our 'former promising footballers' looked a little lost didn't they

Can't imagine half of them were able to comprehend what they were being shown TBH.

This - sadly.

As has also been previously state, if you are in Krakow you just have to visit. One day I will take my kids to Krakow and show them Auschwitz - I think it's that important.

[Podie]

F1GTRUeno said:

Have no idea how Germans are received at Auschwitz, or even if any go.

Based on experience, they are received as any other guest any many do go. However, they seem very quiet in comparison with the groups of Jewish people who seem to walk around carrying flags.

[Lost soul]

Puggit said:

I think it's that important.

It is that important , walking down the railway track under the arch between the towers was the weirdest thing i have ever felt

[Lost soul]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Yes , the corridor lined with pictures was very unsettling , both places are just haunted and always will be

But i did like the place where they brought back the ex commendant to be hung in sight of his old luxury villa

[Lost soul]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Thinking about it , all through my life i have seen on TV and film the towers and railway arch maybe that was why it had such a strange effect , like walking on to a film set but knowing it was much more than that

[Pothole]

F1GTRUeno said:

Pothole said:

why?

Well it would be odd if all the rest of them went and Germany didn't (though the question was answered above about whether they did or not).

Have no idea how Germans are received at Auschwitz, or even if any go.

Just basic trolling then? Congrats, you got me.

[spurs coupe]

If the England team visiting Auschwitz makes even one young person look into the history of the place and the events that made it a world renowned monument against racism, then it has been a worthwhile side effect of some good PR for the team.

I'm much happier, so far, with the behaviour and attitude of the squad, I just hope they don't disgrace themselves again. Why England sides, football, rugby or cricket insist on doing stupid things when on 'international duty' I've no idea.

[marcosgt]

F1GTRUeno said:

Pothole said:

why?

Well it would be odd if all the rest of them went and Germany didn't (though the question was answered above about whether they did or not).

Have no idea how Germans are received at Auschwitz, or even if any go.

Germany's very conscious of the Nazi era - I've never seen a breakdown of figures for visitors to Auschwitz, but I'd be surprised if German school trips weren't a significant proportion, since the wall came down.

There are, of course, concentration camps in Germany and they are regularly visited by Germans.

M.

[Dunclane]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I went on my stag do too! Everyone thought we were mad for going but we were all glad we went. Really sobering and thought provoking.

[z4chris99]

Glad they went, end of the day it's only football, who cares if they win or lose

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Dunclane said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I went on my stag do too! Everyone thought we were mad for going but we were all glad we went. Really sobering and thought provoking.

Cricky...where was the hen night ...Hiroshima??

I've been to Auschwitz, and glad I went. But hardly stag do material.

[Rollcage]

Has there been some pruning on this thread since last night?

[Use Psychology]

seems that way, maybe eric was actually hacked.

or maybe my comment about it being preparation for penalties against Germany wasn't welcome.

wouldn't have minded knowing, how i am supposed to know where the edges are if what I write just evaporates.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

The England squad visited a Polish orphanage today:

"They all look so lost and afraid, like they had no hope." said Igor aged 6.

[DarrenL]

rohrl said:

1. It's Hodgson. No "e".

2. It's far too late to try and teach the squad to play football. You don't do high-intensity training in the final days before a tournament in any sport.

3. Squads at previous tournaments have been locked away from the outside world and this has been decided to be an unsatisfactory state of affairs. The judgement has been made this time that it's better to interact with the public and get a look at Poland and Ukraine rather than just the inside of a hotel.

1- OK. Fair point

2- I didnt say "high intensity", but as we have players who are not used to the national set up, i'm sure a few more hours kicking a ball about lightly would be far more beneficial then going to Auschwitz for some good (short term) PR. To be honest, none of us will care where they went if they win, if they lose i'm sure there will be questions about how time was spent in the lead up, especially with a manager who has only had two games to get to know the squad.

3- I didnt say lock them away, but I questioned if Auschwitz was the best place for the team to go to.