The good folk of German football magazine 11Freunde are thoroughly sound individuals altogether. Over the past couple of years we've had quite a bit of interaction with them and they're always engaging, knowledgable and they're just a bunch of good eggs all round. And if it sounds like we're being very complimentary then it's just because we're returning the favour.
An editorial in the magazine this week focused on Ireland's qualification for Euro 2016 and why it's so important for the tournament as a whole. It's going a bit far to suggest that Ireland's penchant for having fun at major championships is a welcome counterbalance to the terror in Paris this week, but we're not the ones saying that.
It is clear that we can not afford to run our lives in fear.
If we fear, it takes the joy of living. The world needs joy, dancing, singing, celebrations - who can do that better than the Irish, who yesterday qualified for Euro 2016 in France.
11Freunde continued in a similar fashion before referencing the last time we went to the Euros in 2012.
The qualification of the Irish is a godsend. The Boys in Green can celebrate like no other nation, always peaceful, always sympathetic and emphatic, with an infectious, childlike joy. And joy is what we need.
Now it would be easy to take a critical line of all this. Having Ireland and our fans come across as the clowns of Europe is the kind of thing that would make Roy Keane's head explode. But even those who are not enthralled with the 'win, lose, we're on the booze' attitude that can sometimes be seen have to accept that 11Freunde's editorial is coming from a very good place.
Granted, we'd like to think that this time around we'll be commended as much for what happens on the field as much as how our fans behave off it but we're a jovial bunch deep down and that's going to be seen next summer no matter what. Something that 11Freunde are as happy about as we are.
The world needs Superman (Dick Redmond), the world needs joy, dancing, singing. The tournament in France is different, perhaps more oppressive, and hopefully without incident. But the Irish will be there with their famous support, and they'll be sharing that joy with a lot of people.
We're biased but we'd go as far as saying it's the best thing they've printed since they translated our open letter to Thomas Muller.
