Maple Ridge’s own Montana Yorke was on the field at the World Cup, celebrating with her boyfriend, German soccer star André Schürrle.
Schürrle had just set up the game-winning goal, earning the assist on the play that gave Germany the victory over Argentina in the final on Sunday.
The image of Schürrle weeping into the arms of Yorke was one of the memorable moments of the post-game celebration in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
All the wives and girlfriends of the players came on to the pitch to celebrate with their men.
“This is the best moment of my life. I had to cry because I was so overcome. I couldn’t stop it,” Schürrle said in a TV interview.
Montana’s parents Stephen and Susan Yorke still live in Maple Ridge, and were at Vancouver’s Alpen Club for the World Cup final – and all the games.
Watching their daughter and Schürrle in those emotional moments after the golden goal, on the sporting world’s biggest stage, was “pretty powerful stuff,” said Stephen.
The British tabloid press follows the wives and girlfriends of “footballers,” dubbing them “WAGs”. There are stories, videos and pictures of the young lovebirds Montana and Schürrle all over the
Internet. Montana even has a fan page.
The tabloid press has mistakenly referred to Montana as a model and waitress. Stephen said his daughter was briefly a hostess at the local Earls, but has never been a waitress or model.
The 21-year-old graduate of Samuel Robertson Technical took a course in hotel management in Germany, and worked in the hospitality industry in London, England, as an office manager.
Montana met Schürrle, who plays forward or winger for London’s Chelsea, over the holiday season, and they began dating in January.
“He’s a real down-to-earth, good guy,” said Stephen.
“That’s my impression.”
The Maple Ridge couple never paid much attention to soccer, called football outside North America, in the past, but they do now.
“Now we’re huge soccer fans,” laughed Susan. “I never realized how exciting it is.”
Both of Susan’s parents are German, so cheering for Schürrle and his national team was an easy fit. As long as Canada continues not to qualify for the World Cup, Stephen is not conflicted in his allegiance to his family’s adopted national team either, he said.
Reached on Tuesday, Montana didn’t want to add any comments.
Montana’s brother Dalton, a defenceman who plays in the Western Hockey League with the Kelowna Rockets, was fortunate enough to be invited to fly to Europe on Monday, to join his sister and her friends in their celebrations.
Danke!!! pic.twitter.com/XakMX1F024
— André Schürrle (@Andre_Schuerrle) July 15, 2014