29 Facts About Robert Enke

Robert Enke was a German professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Robert Enke played for Monchengladbach, Benfica, and Barcelona, but made the majority of his appearances for Bundesliga side Hannover 96 in his homeland.

Robert Enke won eight full international caps for the Germany national team between the 1999 Confederations Cup and his death in 2009, and was part of the squad which finished as runners-up in Euro 2008.

Robert Enke was born on 24 August 1977 in Jena, where he grew up in a flat in the district of Lobeda.

Robert Enke was the youngest of three children born to Dirk Enke, a sports psychologist, and Gisela Enke.

Robert Enke began playing football from an early age, initially playing as a striker, before making the switch to goalkeeper, where he displayed obvious talent.

Robert Enke joined Carl Zeiss Jena in 1985 after an impressive performance while playing against them in a youth team match for SV Jenapharm.

Robert Enke rose through the youth ranks at the club, and in 1993, he played for the Germany under-15 national team against England at Wembley Stadium.

At the age of 17, Robert Enke signed his first professional contract with Carl Zeiss Jena.

Robert Enke made his professional debut on 11 November 1995, against future club Hannover 96 in the 2.

Robert Enke was given the opportunity after the club suffered two consecutive fiascos against Duisburg and Bochum, prompting coach Eberhard Vogel to drop the former first-choice goalkeeper Mario Neumann for the youngster Enke.

Robert Enke played three games during November 1995, but Neumann was restored to the team after this period and Robert Enke did not appear for the first team again that season.

Robert Enke spent his first two seasons here with the club's U-23 side, playing in the lower leagues, as well as for the Under-21 national team and honing his talent, studying the club's number one goalkeeper Uwe Kamps.

Robert Enke had a history of panic attacks and had second thoughts soon after signing for the team.

Robert Enke realised however that, having signed a contract, he was obliged to fulfil it.

Robert Enke's debut set the mark, as the club was humiliatingly knocked out of the Spanish Cup by third flight Novelda CF at the first hurdle on 11 September 2002 and was criticised by teammate Frank de Boer in public for his part in their exit.

Robert Enke did manage to sample some European action during his spell though as he made two UEFA Champions League appearances, against Club Brugge and Galatasaray in the group stage.

Robert Enke's career enjoyed its greatest success and stability, as he became firmly established as the club's first choice and was voted the best goalkeeper in the league by his fellow professionals in kicker magazine.

Such form caused Robert Enke to be linked with moves to larger clubs, particularly VfB Stuttgart.

Robert Enke first represented his country in 1997 whilst playing for Borussia Monchengladbach, winning a place in the German Under-21 side and retained the number one jersey for the remainder of the season, playing 15 times in total.

Robert Enke succeeded in breaking into the squad shortly after, under new coach Joachim Low, in being chosen for a friendly against Georgia, and, after first choice Jens Lehmann caught the flu, again against Cyprus.

Robert Enke was an unused substitute during the tournament that saw Germany finish as runners-up.

In September and October 2009, Robert Enke was again out of action for several weeks.

Robert Enke was married to former modern pentathlete Teresa Reim and had a daughter, Lara, who was born with a heart birth defect.

Robert Enke was rendered deaf by the drugs used to treat her heart problems.

Robert Enke lived with his family on a small farm in Empede, near Neustadt am Rubenberge, until his death in November 2009.

Robert Enke's coffin, covered in white roses, was carried by six of his Hannover 96 teammates.

Robert Enke was then buried in Neustadt, outside Hannover, next to his daughter's grave.

Ronald Reng's biography A Life too Short: The Tragedy of Robert Enke won the William Hill Sports Book of the Year in 2011.