IOC boss in heaven: Thomas Bach: 'Brazil had no defense, and a very bad night'

At the Lausanne Palace Hotel an unusual crowd enjoyed the World Cup semifinal between Brazil and Germany: the IOC Executive Board lead by IOC President, Thomas Bach were astonished by the result already achieved in the very first 30 minutes of the game.

BACH CHEERING  Thomas Bach, the German President of the International Olympic Committee, was sitting on a sofa in the exact middle of "La Rotonde" the elegant hall which also hosted the celebration of AIPS 90th anniversary just a couple of days ago on Sunday, July 8. 

LA ROTONDE  The hall which is normally home to the guests chatting just behind lobby's bar has been transformed twice in two days: a big TV screen was set along the columns that use to divide the space from the entrance and as in an ancient theater, and comfortable sofas were waiting for the Executive Board members to sit and enjoy the fun of such an exciting event. 

FORMATION IOC  President Thomas Bach was seated beside Carlos Guzman, President of the Rio2016 Olympic Games Organizing Commitee. Germany and Brazil were both ready to give their all for the World Cup Final, just like Bach and Guzman were ready to enjoy the match, in a friendly atmosphere of course...!

In the first row you could see Bach's wife, Claudia, IOC EB Members Bokel, Lindberg, Kaltschmitt and Fasel.

5-0  The first goal came exactly while IOC Vice president Nawal El Moutawakel was trying to find her seat in the first row after greeting President Bach...who missed the goal scored by his namesake Thomas Muller.

"Mondieu! I thought they would have killed me," jokes El Moutawakel.

After the second goal, President Bach jumped up in joy, clearly expecting a battle for a spot in Rio's final. The third and fourth goals by Toni Kroos and Sami Khedira however, had the President holding his head in his hands, a combination of astonishment and compassion for Brazil and its fans.

After the first half, reactions in "La Rotonde" were summed up in one phrase by Thomas Bach: "Brazil has no defense!"

RESPECT FOR BRAZIL
After the match, Bach regarded the immense result for his national team with typical German sobriety. "I respect the Brazilian crowd very much, for having stayed and cheered for their team  the entire match. In most other countries, the stadium would have been empty at half time."

"As an athlete, I know how things go. There are days when nothing goes right, and when at the same time, your opponent the exact opposite is happening for your opponent. Brazil had a very bad night."

Despite this, Germany was clearly the better team in this game and is deservedly in the final. However, we must not be complacent now.When asked about Germany's chances in the final - surely high now after such a confidence boost - Bach did not waver.

"The only thing that is certain in football is that the match will start 0-0. Most of all the final. There are no guarantees, even after such a win."

RIO BOUND
After the President's press conference which will close the IOC Executive Board meeting in Lausanne, Mr. Bach will board the plane to Rio to watch Germany play in the final against Argentina or long-time rivals The Netherlands.

 "I won't tell the players anything before the match," Bach joked. "They have to focus now."