News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Home  » Sports » Kahn's Latvian heritage revealed

Kahn's Latvian heritage revealed

June 17, 2004 20:50 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Germany coach Rudi Voeller found out on Thursday that his captain was one quarter Latvian.

"No, I didn't know, nor does it worry me," Voeller said when asked whether he was aware goalkeeper Oliver Kahn had a Latvian grandmother.

Several German newspapers told the story of Kahn's Latvia connection on Thursday, two days before Germany play the Baltic debutants at Euro 2004.

Kahn's grandfather was based in Latvia with the German navy when he married a Latvian woman. Kahn's father was born in Latvia in 1943.

Before the end of World War Two, the family moved to Karlsruhe, Germany, where Oliver Kahn was born in 1969.

"It's true that I have a special relationship with Latvia but I feel German," said Kahn.

"Sorry, there will be no presents on Saturday," he told Germany's next opponents.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

India In Australia 2024-2025