Netherlands, Germany to play friendly as planned; top officials to attend

Minister Edith Schippers of Sports will be attending the friendly football match between the Netherlands and Germany in Hanover on Tuesday on behalf of the Dutch government. German chancellor Angela Merkel and her entire team of ministers will also be attending the match. The Ministry of Public Health, Welfare and Sports made this announcement on Sunday. "Due to the attacks in Paris, this match is so much more than just a practice match. We will show that we continue our free way of life", Schippers said. By attending Schippers will show support and solidarity with not only the people of Paris and France, but also the German football team who lived through the awful events. According to broadcaster NOS, the German team played a friendly match against France at the Stade De France when three suicide bombers blew themselves up in the stadium. The German team had to spend the night in the stadium. Prime Minister Mark Rutte has also decided to cut his trade mission to South Africa short following the attacks. Given the circumstances, he feels it is better to be in the Netherlands and available for any eventual debates on the attacks.