With a moving funeral service in the Volksparkstadion, fans, friends and old companions said goodbye to HSV idol Uwe Seeler. Seeler died on July 21 at the age of 85. The virtual book of condolence is open until late in the evening.
Thousands of people came to the HSV Arena on Wednesday and paid their last respects to “Us Uwe”, including around 1,000 invited guests and Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Next to the lectern in the center circle, two pictures of Uwe Seeler in action sprayed on the lawn by artist Martin Lichtenstern adorned the square with the signature “Uns Uwe”. The funeral service was musically framed by jazz pianist Joja Wendt and the Hamburg Sailors’ Choir.
“Uwe Seeler is unforgettable to people not because of his performances on the pitch and his unique career, but because he has retained his friendly, open and warm personality towards everyone.”
— DFB President Bernd Neuendorf
Hamburg’s First Mayor Peter Tschentscher, DFB President Bernd Neuendorf, HSV Sports Director Jonas Boldt and actor and Seeler friend Olli Dittrich found in their speeches moving and dignified words for the lifetime achievement of Uwe Seeler, who for many people was more than a football idol .
Applause and shouts of “Uwe, Uwe” erupted again and again, especially when Olli Dittrich gave his humorous and moving speech.
Hrubesch: “He was also world-class as a person”
“Uwe had this normality, which certainly not many have. That was accepted everywhere. He was also world-class as a person,” said HSV legend Horst Hrubesch. “My wife once described it well: With Uwe, I always have the impression that I’m meeting my brother.” For the former HSV header monster it is clear: “Uwe will live with me forever.”
In addition to Hrubesch, HSV veterans such as Willi Schulz, Felix Magath and Uli Stein said goodbye to “Us Uwe”, as did national coach Hansi Flick, DFB director Oliver Bierhoff and Bayern Munich CEO Oliver Kahn.
Virtual condolence book reopened
In a world that is rapidly getting out of joint, Uwe Seeler was an anchor of consistency and reliability far beyond football. Everyone could agree on “Us Uwe” when it came to integrity and, above all, humanity. “The best thing is to be normal,” Seeler once said. His fans appreciated that, also with numerous entries in the virtual book of condolences on NDR.de. It is still open until late evening. Thousands of mourners had already shown their sympathy shortly after the death of Hamburg’s honorary citizen.
Letter from Beckenbauer: “You will never be forgotten”
Franz Beckenbauer was only able to follow the funeral service from a distance for health reasons, but said goodbye to “his friend” with an emotional letter published by the “Hamburger Abendblatt”. “Being able to play with you in the German national team was a great honor for me, who is nine years younger than me,” wrote the 76-year-old world champion from 1974.
“Dear Uwe, this last greeting comes from the bottom of my heart: You will never be forgotten. Servus and bye.”
– Franz Beckenbauer
Family asks for donations for the Uwe-Seeler-Foundation
The stadium guests were asked to forego flower decorations in favor of a donation for the Uwe-Seeler-Foundation. According to the Senate of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, the funeral service was prepared in close consultation with the family and with the participation of HSV and DFB. Uwe Seeler was buried on August 4th in the Ohlsdorf Cemetery with his immediate family.
Program Notes
- 8-9 p.m.: NDR 90.3 special broadcast
- 8:15 p.m. – 9 p.m.: NDR Info Extra (TV): Farewell to Uwe Seeler, also in the live stream on NDR.de, live stream with sign language
- NDR 2 reports in the “NDR 2 Morgen” and in the “NDR 2 Updates” in the daily program
This topic in the program:
NDR Info | 08/10/2022 | 1:30 p.m
