Germans thank French team for support after Paris attacks

HANNOVER, Germany (AP) - Germany coach Joachim Loew thanked the France team for staying all night at the Paris stadium where the two countries were playing a friendly match that was caught up in a wave of attacks that killed 129 people.

The Germans decided to stay at the Stade de France after it came under attack by suicide bombers and the French stayed with them until the German team left to fly home Saturday morning.

They had been scheduled to leave Paris at noon but then left earlier on a specially chartered flight without returning to the team hotel.

"I think it was a great gesture by the French team and by (coach) Didier Deschamps," Loew said Monday, the day before another friendly, against the Netherlands in Hannover.

"They offered us to overnight in their hotel and that they would clear a number of rooms. They also waited until it was clear that we would fly directly to Germany."

There had been an earlier scare for the Germans, who had to evacuate their hotel because of a bomb threat. It turned out to be a hoax, but it disrupted Germany's preparations for the match, which it lost 2-0.

The German federation considered calling off Tuesday's match.

"After sleeping on it, it was clear to us that the match must take place," Loew said. "The match has a clear message for freedom and democracy but also for solidarity with France.

"Our thoughts tomorrow will be with the victims and their families."

Loew added that no player had asked to be excused from the match.