Marcus Hahnemann tells of White House visit

Wolves keeper Marcus Hahnemann today revealed the secrets of his visit to the White House as he prepared for a surprise return to action tonight.

Politics fan Hahnemann was a surprise arrival on the plane to Belgium as Wolves made their way to take on Charleroi tonight after Wayne Hennessey pulled out with a back injury.

The American has returned to duty with Wolves having had the experience of a lifetime with a visit to the very heart of world politics, courtesy of an invitation extended by President Barack Obama to the US World Cup squad before the tournament in South Africa.

"We met President Obama, Bill Clinton and Vice President Biden at the White House," said Hahnemann.

"We were hanging around the White House and the reception rooms and looking about at all the history.

"We were given a mini-tour and saw a lot of the rooms.

"We were getting ready to go and then Vice President Biden came out and said: "Do you guys want to see my office?"

"The bus was waiting for us but it was like, 'OK, let's go and have a look'.

"Then we're going into the inner workings of the White House and you walk past the Oval Office and the door is closed so you know Obama is meeting with someone.

"And there are other rooms around there and then we just hung out.

"It was incredible seeing all of that.

"I've always had a bit of an interest in politics.

"I probably don't keep track as much as I should but in our family we vote either one way or the other.

"My family is predominantly Republican and my wife Amanda's is predominantly Democrat so there's always banter.

"After we beat Algeria Bill Clinton came into the dressing room - having a couple of non-alcoholic drinks with him was really good."

Having been hosted by the world's most powerful leader before the tournament, Hahnemann and his team-mates were disappointed not to progress beyond the last 16 game following defeat to Ghana - especially after topping England in the group.

"On the football side our goal was to get out of the group which we did," he said.

"But then the excitement of getting out of the group was overshadowed by losing to Ghana.

"It was good to finish above England. That stopped all the banter coming my way.

"I hate losing more than I enjoy winning."

Hahnemann also revealed how close he was to facing England as Tim Howard battled a thigh injury.

"Tim was No.1 but it looked like I might get on during the England game," he said.

"I was warming up and I was ready but he was able to carry on.

"That's probably the part I look back on most now.

"I was so close to coming on and could have played a few games which would have been great but Tim did well."