Former German captain Philipp Lahm has shared his expectations of the Bundestim's friendly match against Ukraine on 12 June in the context of international relations.
"June 12 will be the thousandth international match in the history of German football. The German Football Association chose the right opponent - Ukraine. Football is a good way to send a message of peace and international understanding. And international matches will be the way to achieve it with maximum effect.
Thank God that in Europe, where football has its roots, such matches are held regularly. Where you cultivate unity, you can get to know each other. In the next few days and weeks, millions of people will be on the road. The Croats will meet the Dutch, the Spaniards the Italians. Kosovo play against Romania, Belgium against Austria, Iceland against Slovakia. Even Gibraltar and France, who are separated by 200 places in the world rankings, are competing. Germany travel to Poland for another test match, and one of the Germans' opponents in the youth Euros is Israel. In these encounters, Europe is coming to terms with its past and its future.
Football, which is a team sport, can achieve much more than a result for the standings. Poland, for example, has welcomed over one and a half million Ukrainian refugees - more than any other country. The fact that the two neighbouring countries held an international football tournament together 10 years ago certainly contributed a little to this solidarity," Lahm said.