2021 was a special sporting year, not only because major events such as the European Football Championship or the Summer Olympics took place in an odd year due to the corona pandemic.

Top performances were not only shown on the courts and racetracks.

There were also some verbal things to remember.

The sayings of the year:

"It's a bit like delivery service: you eat out of the cardboard box at home."

(Tom Eilers, Chairman of the 3rd League Committee at the German Football Association, on January 21st about the situation of fans at ghost games)

“Robert Lewandowski is a phenomenon.

It's like a good red wine that gets better every year. "

(Bayern boss Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on January 21)

"If he throws me out after four and a half years, I'll give him a kiss too."

(Hertha's trainer returnees Pal Dardai on January 26th in the direction of sports director Arne Friedrich, after his first term of office had lasted four and a half years)

"Corona is like football.

A single contact is enough to turn everything upside down. "

(National soccer player Leon Goretzka on January 29th on his corona infection on Twitter)

"For $ 100,000, other people would be quarantined for much longer."

(Tennis player Alexander Zverev on February 1 to criticize some professionals of the quarantine conditions in Melbourne. At the Australian Open, each participant receives 100,000 dollars in prize money in the first round)

"Even with a salary cap, I think you would still earn quite well."

(DFL managing director Christian Seifert on February 3rd on the possible introduction of an upper salary limit and the earnings of football professionals)

"I didn't kill anyone."

(Coach Marco Rose on February 17th to the violent reactions of the Gladbach fans, who are demanding his immediate expulsion because of his move to Borussia Dortmund after the end of the season)

"We applauded that the palms of the hands burned."

(Ski jumping world champion Karl Geiger on February 28 to motivate the mixed team before the surprising world title in Oberstdorf)

“I've always said that the team needs space and time and development.

In no case should it fail because the trainer sticks to his chair. "

(National coach Joachim Löw announces his resignation on March 11th after the EM in the summer)

“As a child I always thought that his name was Lotoma and his last name was Thäus.

Then I called the fan shop and said I would like a jersey with the 10th Lotoma on it.

And they said there was no Lotoma. "

(Julian Nagelsmann on March 17th about his childhood memories of Lothar Matthäus)

"I'm happy that I was able to finish the race."

(Mick Schumacher on March 28th after his Formula 1 racing debut at the Grand Prix of Bahrain, where he finished 16th)

"They don't have to be lovers either, but what is important is that they work together professionally for the success of FC Bayern Munich."

(Bayern President Herbert Hainer on April 11 about the relationship between coach Hansi Flick and sports director Hasan Salihamidzic)

"It was important to me that the team found out about this from me, because there was already a lot going around on the floor radio."

(Bayern coach Hansi Flick on April 17th after the 3-2 win in the Bundesliga match at VfL Wolfsburg on his wish to leave the German record champions after this season)

“Football is open and there for everyone.

A closed Super League, on the other hand, is only for the super-rich and super-reckless. "

(DFB President Fritz Keller on April 20 about the plans to found the Super League)

"If you are bottom of the table and have 13 points and someone says he gave it his all, then I don't know what I would do with the person."

(Schalke's team coordinator Gerald Asamoah on April 20 after the royal blues were relegated to the Bundesliga)

“I am sorry for the whole city of Bremen.

It's a traumatic day for all of us. "

(Werder Bremen's captain Niklas Moisander on May 22nd after relegation from the Bundesliga)

"My DFB quarantine was longer than 14 days."

(Bayern professional Thomas Müller on May 30th in Seefeld on his return to the national soccer team after two and a half years)

“Not a single eye remained dry in the cabin.

This team deserved everything.

Teams don't often come together like this, it was something very special. "