Speaking on Wednesday, after the Germany-Netherlands match due take place on Tuesday evening in Hannover was called off, the Chancellor said she was just as sad as the many other fans. It was perhaps one of the "most difficult decisions to take, finding a balance between liberty and security". Angela Merkel thanked the people of Hannover and the football fans for the "calm, level-headed" way they responded. And she thanked the Dutch and German national teams.

She stressed that the German team had been ready to play, in spite of the difficult last few days.

Thanks also to police officers and security services

The Chancellor also expressed her thanks to the police officers and security services for their work. "It was clear once again how good it is to have security services, partly also so that major events like football matches can be held in future."

On Tuesday evening the Federal Interior Minister announced that the match would not go ahead. Indications that there was a threat to the football match became so specific in the course of the evening, that he and the security services recommended this step, after careful consideration and after weighing up the pros and cons, explained Thomas de Maizière at a press conference.

The friendly between Germany and the Netherlands was called off just one and a half hours before kick-off. The police in Hannover reported that they had received information of plans to detonate an explosive device.

The decision was not an easy one

The match was cancelled at such short notice, because the specific indications received and the resulting need to consider the situation very carefully did not come earlier. The recommendation was not an easy one for the federal security services and for himself, stressed the Federal Interior Minister. "I would ask you to respect the fact that I cannot comment on the source or the level of threat for reasons of principle," he said.

Thomas de Maizière had flown to Hannover with Chancellor Angela Merkel. The consultations leading to the final decision took place before they took off, during the flight, and after they landed in Hannover, said Thomas de Maizière.

A sign of solidarity

By attending the match, the Chancellor had originally intended to make a stand against Islamist terrorism. As well as the Federal Interior Minister, Federal Economics Affairs Minister Sigmar Gabriel and Federal Justice Minister Heiko Maas had announced that they would be watching the match in the stadium.

The Chancellor wanted to express "her solidarity with the people in Paris who have been hit by the attacks and with the German national team," explained deputy government spokesperson Christiane Wirtz on Monday.

Thomas de Maizière also said, "This match was a special symbol, also on the part of football." This made the decision to call off the match all the more bitter. "But in a situation as difficult as this, the need to protect the people must take priority in case of doubt. This is why we decided today to come down on the side of caution."