Farewell to a football legend: Hans-Jürgen Dörner († 70) was buried in Dresden on Thursday afternoon.
The commemoration could not have taken place in a better place than the Rudolf Harbig Stadium. The place where the star of Dynamo Dresden’s greatest player rose and shone. Even Peter bowed in bright sunshine to the football icon, who lost the battle with cancer on January 19.
In addition to around 1000 fans, 100 invited guests, friends and companions from sport, culture and politics paid their last respects to the former world-class libero. Among others, Ulf Kirsten, Thomas Doll, Peter Ducke, entertainer Gunther Emmerlich, Saxony’s MP Michael Kretschmer, Dresden Mayor Dirk Hilbert. Many not in the usual black! Dixie had expressly requested no mourning clothes.
Photo: Olaf Rentsch-” data-zoom-src=”https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/trauerredner-ralf-minge-hatte-traenen-in-den-augen-aa7fa85eed8f4ac187d8ff7ee4860b3b-79343102/Bild/3.bild.jpg”/>
Funeral speaker Ralf Minge had tears in his eyesPhoto: Olaf Rentsch
–
–
His longtime partner Annett wore a yellow scarf over a black top and a black and yellow skirt. She wanted to show: Her Jürgen was and is Dynamo!
Ralf Minge (61) gave the funeral speech. He was more than just a former teammate of Dixie Dörner. Over the years he became a close confidant and good friend.
“I’ve stepped on this lawn a hundred times,” said the ex-national player. “But today it’s my hardest walk. My knees are shaking.”
The current Halle sports director paused several times with a tear-choked voice. You could tell how close the loss was to him.
“Dixie was the conductor of a team that made a name for themselves all over Europe,” continues Minge. “By the time he won the Olympics, he became a demigod for me and many others.” Minge concluded with the words: “Dresden can be proud to have had such a person. Now it is up to us to honor his name…”
The urn burial that followed took place in the closest family circle.
–
