Soccer-Germany stunned by suicide of keeper Enke

BERLIN, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Germans reacted with shock and disbelief on Wednesday after national team and Hanover 96 goalkeeper Robert Enke, suffering from depression, committed suicide at a train crossing near Hanover on Tuesday.

"He was afraid to go public with his depression because he feared he could lose everything, in football and privately," said his wife Teresa. "Football was everything to him. It was his life, his elixir."

Enke, 32, had been suffering from depression since 2003 but had not confided in anyone other than his close family and his personal psychiatrist.

His sudden death left players and soccer officials in shock.

"I am stunned. I am at loss for words," said Germany captain Michael Ballack.

"I find it hard to describe my feelings, I am totally shocked, totally empty," Germany coach Joachim Loew added.

"His death is an immense loss. We will miss him as a first-rate athlete and an exceptional human being."

Enke, who was in the running to be Germany's starting goalkeeper at next year's World Cup in South Africa, had not been not picked for a friendly match against Chile on Saturday. The game was called off following his death.

"You may comment on whether the decision (to cancel the match) was right or wrong," Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff told reporters, his voice breaking.