Niklas Süle: “I’ll tell my children about it”

Jeremy Toljan on...

... the Olympic Games.

The tournament was the biggest event of my career so far. Every game was a highlight. The atmosphere in the stadiums was unbelievable, I enjoyed every moment so in the end it’s a shame we couldn’t win gold. The Olympic village, where we lived towards the end of the Games, was impressive. All of these athletes in one place – it was special. I particularly enjoyed eating in the dining halls.

... the cobbled together team.

Obviously it wasn’t easy at the start of the tournament. We hadn’t played yet together as a team but we found ourselves quickly. We had some quality players and I think we improved with every game.

... a special moment.

It was great to see the Brazilian kids playing football in the favelas. They have so little but play with so much passion and enthusiasm. That was the highlight for me, along with the final in the Maracana.

... the return to TSG.

It was nice to arrive here today. I received so many messages of congratulations and I feel everyone in the team is proud of our performance. I'm proud that two guys from Hoffenheim have won an Olympic silver medal.

... his duel with Neymar.

I remember it well. He is known by everyone; he's one of the best players in the world and often tries to do something special. It could have turned out bad for me and the team but I closed him down and waited to see what we would do. It was the right decision as I managed to get the ball.

... the start of the Bundesliga.

We’re both feeling good about it and we’re in full flow. I want to be on the pitch as quickly as possible – first in training with the guys and then in the league.

Niklas Süle on...

... “losing” his medal.

I haven’t lost it, my mum has it. She’s going to frame it along with the shirt I wore in the final. We did the same with the shirt I wore in the final of the u17s European Championships and this one will also have its own special place.

... the cobbled together team.

We showed from the first game that we could achieve something. After the second game we received quite a lot of criticism but we didn’t let it get to us. After the 10-0 victory against Fiji the penny dropped. We gelled together better as a team and were deservedly into the quarterfinals. It’s a shame that we couldn’t win gold.

... the return to TSG.

Everyone congratulated me, it was lovely. I think they're proud of us and at least no one has said to us: “Hey, you lost the final.”

... his penalty in the final.

Horst Hrubesch said to me that I would be taking the fourth penalty. That scared me a bit because I thought: “oops, I could lose it for us.” I walked forward 50 meters and I saw myself on the big screen which was very strange. But it was a great feeling and it was such a relief when the ball hit the back of the net. It was unbelievable; I didn’t think I was possible. For me personally it was super to be able to take part in the penalty shootout. 

... the Olympics as a spectator.

When we finally arrived in Rio, we had the choice of attending two events. For one of them however, the final of the basketball between the USA and Spain, there weren’t many tickets. Jerry and I won a game of rock, paper, scissors and were able to go. The other guys didn’t have it so bad anyway as they went to see the semi-final of the handball between Germany and France.

... a special moment.

It’s not a tough decision: walking out before the game against Brazil. 75,000 people were booing us but it didn’t intimidate me - I became more concentrated. I’ll tell my children that I was once booed by a complete stadium and that I played an Olympic final against Neymar. I’ll never forget it.

... the start of the Bundesliga.

I'm looking forward to the game against Leipzig on Sunday. I’ve shared a room with Davie Selke for the past four weeks and now we’re facing each other in the league. I think we have a good chance of winning.