Funeral service for Uwe Seeler
Politicians, athletes and celebrities say goodbye
Visibly touched, comedian Olli Dittrich said goodbye to football icon Uwe Seeler.
© Getty Images/Pool Images Europe
The funeral service for football icon Uwe Seeler took place on Wednesday afternoon. Many companions said goodbye.
Almost three weeks after the death of Uwe Seeler (1936-2022), the city of Hamburg said goodbye to the HSV legend in a public funeral service. Fans could watch the event in the Hanseatic city’s Volksparkstadion in the live stream on NDR and live on TV on the first as well as online pursue. HSV also offered fans a Live ticker on Twitter.
The football club already announced in advance announced on its websitethat during the approximately one-hour funeral service, Hamburg’s Mayor Dr. Peter Tschentscher (56), Bernd Neuendorf (61), the president of the German Football Association, Jonas Boldt (40), member of the board of HSV Fußball AG and comedian Olli Dittrich (65) will give speeches.
Not only numerous personalities from football such as Philipp Lahm, Oliver Kahn, Oliver Bierhoff and Hans-Dieter Flick took part in the funeral service. Stars such as comedian Otto Waalkes, moderators Reinhold Beckmann and Carlo von Tiedemann and musician Rolf Zuckowski were also present in the stadium. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz attended the funeral service accompanied by his wife Britta Hart.
Moving speeches by Seeler’s companions
The celebration opened at around 2 p.m. with a performance by pianist Joja Wendt together with the Seemannschor Hamburg. Mayor Tschentscher then spoke about the Hamburg souler. In his speech he said: “Hamburg loses a piece of itself with Uwe Seeler, an extraordinary Hanseatic personality and a very special honorary citizen.”
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf then looked back on the footballer’s career, among other things. “But Uwe Seeler is not only unforgettable because of the people […] his achievements on the pitch and his unique career,” said Neuendorf. “He is unforgotten because he has retained his friendly and open nature – towards everyone.” For HSV board member Jonas Boldt, Seeler is “the perfect embodiment of football”. He further explained: “Uwe Seeler was, is and will always be the greatest HSV player.”
Family friend Olli Dittrich visibly touched
Between the speeches there were always musical interludes, such as Heidi Kabel’s “An de Eck steiht’n Jung mit’n Tüddelband” and “La Paloma” by Hans Albers. Most recently, comedian Olli Dittrich (65), a longtime friend of Seeler, spoke on behalf of the deceased footballer’s family. When he was initially asked by the family to give the speech, he admitted he was unsure. “How am I supposed to prove myself worthy of Uwe and you and decades of your family history?” he asked himself.
Finally he decided to talk about the influence the HSV star had on Dittrich. “Uwe Seeler was my great hero, my great role model, the idol of my childhood and youth.” At the end he said goodbye to his friend. “You will always remain in our hearts. Rest in peace, dear Uwe!”
Uwe Seeler died on July 21 at the age of 85 and was considered an icon of German football. On Thursday, August 4th, he was buried with a small group in the family grave at Hamburg’s Ohlsdorf Cemetery.