Arquivo / 49ª mostra

Summer, 1954. The Soviet Union is repatriating its prisoners of war. Amongst these is Richard, father to Matthias, a boy of 11 with a passion for football, living with his mother and brothers and sisters in a mining town in Germany. The boy has, for a long time now, found a substitute for the father, a local football player, Helmut Rahn who has adopted him as a mascot. The return of Richard, however brings an end to the peaceful happy family life. Bitter over his years spent as a prisoner, Richard has trouble adapting to life in Germany postwar and upsets everyone by being excessively severe. With the coming World Cup to be held in Switzerland, Matthias begins to dream of being close to his idol, selected for the German Team. Gradually, his obstinacy and passion for football reawaken love in his father?s heart.