Marcel Reif – from Wałbrzych in Poland to iconic football commentator

These unaffiliated independent newcomers, who have a migration background, are distinguished by an easy relationship with their own national identity on the one hand, and a very clear image of what the (new) homeland means for them on the other. For Marcel Reif, the definition of his national identity has never been an issue. He understands unequivocally that homeland is that “place in which the people close to me are with me”, without limiting oneself to a particular location. So, not “homeland” but “home”. In that sense, he never had a problem with living in several places at once either, which, incidentally, he still does today.

In 1985, the switch to sport from the political desk at Second German Television (ZDF) played a decisive role in Reif’s future. Football, his passion, would now become his profession. As a live presenter and commentator at fixtures played by the national team, the Bundesliga and the Champions League – there had been over 1500 by 2016 – he quickly earned himself a broad fan base and has become iconic over the years. “Marcel Reif” has become a media trade mark. His presenting style, which ranges between linguistic lightness, a clear account of the play situation, honest emotionality without any falseness, and the imparting of background knowledge about the respective events, lets the viewers be virtually engrossed in the game with an omnipresent anticipation of things to some. Of course, the accuracy of his judgement and the choice of verbal means could also leave the fans of the team that was in the commentator’s bad books feeling provoked. For Reif that was understandable because he was always well aware that “the fans are not just [there] with their eyes, they are there above all with their hearts”. He is still respected, valued and well liked today because of this ultimate token of love to the game and to the fans, which is demonstrated again and again in his commentaries.

Marcel Reif has received numerous important awards, not just as a football commentator but also as a media personality. They include the Bavarian Television Award in 1998 for his legendary 76-minute improvisation with Günther Jauch after a game in Madrid was delayed, the German Television Award in 2002 and the Adolf Grimme Prize in 2003 for his reporting from the Football World Cup in 2002.

Jacek Barski, December 2021

Further information and links:

Appearance on “Inas Nacht” on 14/10/2021

https://www.ardmediathek.de/video/inas-nacht/inas-nacht-mit-marcel-reif-und-caro-daur/das-erste/Y3JpZDovL25kci5kZS8wOTgyYmI4ZS1lN2RmLTQzNDItYmExZS1lY2UwMDhiMmQ0YzE/

Podcast Reif is live:

https://www.bild.de/bild-mobil/audio/reif-ist-live/startseite-72904458.bild.html#remId=1661067283447424322

Books by Marcel Reif:

Marcel Reif, Christoph Biermann, Aus spitzem Winkel. Fußballreporter aus Leidenschaft. Kiepenheuer & Witsch, Köln 2004.

Marcel Reif, Holger Gertz, Nachspielzeit. Ein Leben mit dem Fußball, Kiepenheuer & Witsch, Köln 2017.

Marcel Reif, Patrick Strasser, Auswärtsspiel. Meine schönsten Reisen durch Fußball-Europa, EMF, München 2020.