Matze Knop - Germany becomes European champion in the end
Franz Beckenbauer, Oliver Kahn or Lothar Matthaüs - Matze Knop (49) has been passionate about football for many years with his footballer parodies. However, the comedian is also a recognized football fan and expert himself. He regularly takes the field: As captain, he leads the German comedy national team.
Together with colleagues like Luke Mockridge (35) or Tony Bauer (28), they play for a good cause and currently support the sustainability initiative "Football for Forests". In an interview with the news agency spot on news, he analyzes the games of the currently running European Championship and reveals his tip for the much-anticipated quarterfinal match between Germany and Spain.
How satisfied have you been so far as a fan with the performances of the German team at the EM?
Matze Knop: So far, I have been very satisfied. We have finally regained the self-confidence that German football deserves. After all, we have four stars on our chest and not the others.
Which teams and players have surprised you at the EM, which ones have disappointed you?
Knop: I believe many English fans are disappointed. Above all, Bellingham could not keep up with his performance from Real Madrid. Positively surprised us teams like Switzerland and Turkey. With them, I think no one expected us in the quarterfinals. Otherwise, Musiala and Kroos are playing as I expected: strongly!
How do you feel about the mood, are we in the middle of a new fairy tale?
Knop: The mood in our country is at least for these four weeks very good. I hope very much that this also continues beyond the EM. Unfortunately, the weather is not quite as consistent as in 2006 - but this time the team makes it to the final and wins the cup. Then the weather is also irrelevant!
What was your most beautiful experience at the EM so far?
Knop: The game of the German team in Dortmund against Denmark. Above all, the rain interruption had something of a power outage at home, where everyone lit a candle and put a bottle of wine on the table. Plus, foreigners finally put their arms around each other because we made it to the next round.
What do you tip for the quarterfinal Spain - Germany and which tips would you give the national coach on the way?
Knop: My tip: 1:0 for Germany. It will be important for our defense to be alert and stable. Above all, from Rudiger, Kimmich and Co., I expect coolness, clarity and mature behavior in the spirit of the team. Our boys up front, on the other hand, I wish carefree playfulness and creativity.
Where and with whom will you follow the quarterfinal?
Knop: This time I am not in the stadium, but have an engagement in Frankfurt. I hope of course that we win, so that the show afterwards is also a great success.
Who will be the European champion in the end?
Knop: Germany!
You are part of the German comedy national team. Who is the best man in your team?
Knop: It's hard to say, as we all have our strengths and weaknesses. But I can tell you that we have a great team spirit and everyone contributes their part to make our performances a success.
Knop: In a team, there isn't THE best man. In team sports, every position and thus every player is important. That's the beauty of the Comedian National Team - normally, each comedian is a solo fighter in their own way. But now we have to function as a team. We are now over 30 men who share a common goal: to play football and possibly host the first Comedian World Cup in two years. For that, we need motivated comedians and football-enthusiasts from Italy, Spain, America, Mexico, Canada, and so on - because for a World Cup, we need opponents. So, comedians all over the world: Get together and form football teams!
How many donations have you collected with the team so far?
Knop: We have already donated around 25,000 Euros to projects dealing with disadvantaged children and adolescents.
You also engage in the "Football for Forests" initiative for a good cause. What's behind the project?
Knop: "Football for Forests" is a sustainability initiative that uses the global football community to help reforest tropical forests. Donations can be collected through a specifically developed app, which directly flows into a concrete afforestation project. This way, tropical forests are being restored - football field for football field. The project is supported by the Federal Foreign Office and the Society for International Cooperation. For us as the football-playing Comedian National Team, it's the perfect project.
How do you contribute privately to environmental protection?
Knop: I buy cheese and sausages only at the fresh counter and never from the cooler. There's usually more plastic around it than sausage in it. That would be the first thing I would forbid. In general, I'm also against plastic bottles and only buy glass bottles. Besides, it helps a lot if one doesn't throw bottles or packaging into the neighbor's garden - a little hint for the students who live across the street from me.
Luke Mockridge and Matze Knop are part of the comedy national team that supports the sustainability initiative "Football for Forests". Knop believes many English fans are disappointed with Bellingham's performance at the European Championship, but teams like Switzerland and Turkey have surprised him. He tips Germany to win 1-0 against Spain in the quarterfinals and emphasizes the importance of a stable defense and creative attack in the game. While Knop won't be able to attend the match in person due to an engagement, he expects Germany to win and make it to the final, bringing good weather or not. Knop values team spirit in his comedy national team, and the team has already donated around 25,000 Euros to disadvantaged children's projects through "Football for Forests". Besides supporting environmental causes, Knop personally buys cheese and sausages at the fresh counter to reduce plastic waste.
