Audi 2011 Annual Report Download - page 33

Gennaro Gattuso from
AC Milan holds fi rmly
onto Nic Philippbaar’s
small right hand, and
Nic bites his bottom lip just as fi rmly.
If Nic’s excitement were written
across his face, it would be in bold
letters covering every inch of his skin.
Together they march out through the
tunnel beneath the stand and up a few
steps, neon light changes to daylight
and the glare of fl oodlights, and the
surface under their feet changes from
vinyl fl ooring to the concrete of the
steps, then to turf. The red jersey
adorned with four rings is fl uttering
as much as Nic’s nerves. Gattuso,
meanwhile, maintains the steady gaze
of a general. It won’t be long now;
half a minute perhaps – at most –
until the moment for which Nic has
waited more than six months. He, the
player escort, hand in hand with the
professional soccer player, marching
from the changing rooms onto the
fi eld. Lining up. He goes very quiet
as the noise level from outside rises.
Even quieter than a few hours ago,
when he could barely utter a word and
just answered “yes” to every question:
“Yes,” this was the best thing that
had ever happened to him.
In all his ten years – no contest. Just
like any ten-year-old would say. Maybe
for the next ten years, too? “Yes.”
Listening to him, you nod as you
understand just what this means to
him. Gattuso lets go of his hand – Nic’s
cue to run over to the corner fl ag. The
game is about to start, but Nic doesn’t
care about the score now. The jersey
will be hanging over his bed for a long
time to come. And that moment, his
moment during the Audi Cup, will stay
with him for even longer.
Many sports have spectators, but
soccer has fans. Like Nic. Or Christoph
Fehlenberg, who has brought his son
R eason
to celebrate
The Audi Cup is a meeting place
for world-class soccer teams.
And enthusiastic fans.
Text | Sven Schulte-Rummel
Audi Cup 2011
An enthusiastic Mexican wave sweeps through the stadium. Tens of thousands of fans cheer on their teams.
PHOTOS | FRED JOCH/AUDI AG; ALEXANDER HASSENSTEIN/GETTY IMAGES/AUDI AG