The German national ice hockey team was honored with the SPORT BILD Award for their achievements at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. The team led by national coach Marco Sturm is a winner in the “Surprise of the Year” category.
In front of around 700 guests from sports, business and media, the silver heroes around national coach Marco Sturm and assistant coach Matt McIlvane accepted the SPORT BILD Award in the Hamburghe approaches the fish auction hall. Last year, cycling professional Marcel Kittel secured the title in the same category.
“It is something very special for an ice hockey player to receive such an award,” said Moritz Müller on the sidelines of the event. “It’s a great honor and a nice reward for our work.” Gerrit Fauser was also happy about the award: “It’s always great to experience evenings like this with the Olympic boys. Memories always come back. We are very proud of this award!”
Since 2003, Sport Bild has been honoring top sporting achievements as well as special ideas in the sports sector with the award. The magazine's editorial team awards nominations in various segments. However, the winners are chosen by readers. In 2003 the awards were given out in four areas, in 2017 there were already eight and this year 700 guests celebrated the winners in a total of nine categories.
All award winners at a glance:
Special prize from the editor-in-chief: Toni Kroos
Best TV expert: Matthias Sammer
eSports: Ralf Reichert
Comeback of the year: Gesa Felicitas Krause
Star of the year: Angelique Kerber
Life's work: Otto Rehhagel
Coach of the Year: Niko Kovac
Role Model of the Year: Alyona Savchenko and Bruno Massot
Surprise of the year: German national ice hockey team