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Thousands attend Enke's memorial Thousands attend Enke's memorial
(about 2 hours later)
Tens of thousands of fans and dozens of football stars have gathered in Hanover to pay their last respects to Germany's national goalkeeper Robert Enke. More than 45,000 fans, friends and team mates have paid their last respects to Germany's national goalkeeper Robert Enke, who killed himself on Tuesday.
Enke threw himself under a commuter train last week after a long battle with depression. Dressed in black, they saw his coffin put in the middle of the stadium of his team, Hanover 96, covered in flowers.
"Robert Enke will never come back to this stadium, the place where he conquered our hearts," Hanover 96 club president Martin Kind said.
Enke, 32, who suffered from depression, threw himself under a commuter train.
He had been due to play as part of the national team at the World Cup finals in South Africa in June 2010.He had been due to play as part of the national team at the World Cup finals in South Africa in June 2010.
Thousands filed into the stadium to view his coffin, decorated with a wreath of white roses. 'Heavy hearts'
The national team's coach, Joachim Loew, described his team mate as both "an exceptional sportsman and a wonderful human being". German politicians and personalities from the sports world were also present at the memorial ceremony, in addition to the entire national team.
"People like Robert are like stars," Mr Loew wrote in a tribute published in several national newspapers. "They shine brightly, even in the darkest night. They do not die but live in our hearts forever." Outside, hundreds of candles and messages had been left by fans in tribute to the popular player.
'Great personality' Our hearts are so heavy Martin KindHanover 96 club president class="" href="/sport2/hi/football/8361170.stm">In pictures: Enke memorial
Enke will be buried later during a private ceremony. Six of his former Hanover 96 club team mates will carry the coffin to its final resting place. Two giant video screens were erected so those did not manage to get inside could watch. The ceremony was broadcast on five German channels.
Enke had been battling depression for six years Enke's wife Teresa cried as she stood in front of the coffin, which was covered in white flowers.
Members of the German national team also approached the coffin to say goodbye.
"You were a number one in the real sense of the word. This is why our hearts are so heavy," Martin Kind said.
The governor of Lower Saxony, Christian Wulff, said that Enke's death should make people rethink society's values.
"We don't need flawless robots. We need human beings with rough edges, with all their weaknesses and wonderful qualities," Mr Wulff said.
"We can only guess how big the pressure was that weighed on him."
As Enke's coffin was driven away, the anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone" was played.
Enke will be buried later during a private ceremony.
Six of his former Hanover 96 club team mates will carry the coffin to its final resting place.
His grave will be next to that of his two-year-old daughter, who died from a heart infection.His grave will be next to that of his two-year-old daughter, who died from a heart infection.
The entire national team is attending the memorial ceremony. Outside, hundreds of candles and messages had been left by fans in tribute to the popular player.
"We will see how much Robert Enke meant to some people and what a great personality he was," said Hanover 96's President Martin Kind.
Some 50,000 were expected to fill the stadium and two vast video screens have been erected to show the event for those who do not manage to get inside. The ceremony will also be broadcast on five German channels.
On Saturday, a planned friendly match between the national team and Chile was cancelled as a mark of respect.On Saturday, a planned friendly match between the national team and Chile was cancelled as a mark of respect.