Goalkeeper Enke’s widow overwhelmed by German mourning

HANOVER - Robert Enke’s widow Friday expressed her gratitude about the nationwide outpouring of mourning over the Germany oalkeeper’s death.

“I am lost for words about the overwhelming sympathy around the death of my husband. I was able to experience how much sympathy and respect was felt for Robert,” said Teresa Enke in the stadium

magazine of his club Hanover 96.

Enke, 32, committed suicide Nov 10, with Teresa Enke revealing the next day that he suffered from depression.

The memorial service Nov 15 in Hanover’s stadium drew a crowd of 40,000 as Enke’s death sparked a public outpouring of mourning not seen in Germany since the funeral of former Chancellor Konrad Adenauer in 1967.

Teresa Enke said that Robert Enke may have undergone treatment on the illness had he known about the huge respect paid to him.

Enke said in a farewell latter that he hid the illness from the public eye because he feared for his career and that the couple’s adopted daughter may be taken away from them.

Hanover play their first home game since Enke’s death Sunday against Bayern Munich.

“That will be tough. But Robert’s death can not be a burdon. We must find back to normality without forgetting. Robert will always be in our hearts,” said Hanover coach Andreas Bergmann.