Big stages for small clubs. The DFB Cup throws Germany’s amateur clubs into the spotlight. Village teams can face German champions, ambitious Regionalliga sides can go head-to-head with Champions League participants. There have been plenty of cup upsets and shocks in the over 70-year history of the competitions. The cup has it’s own rules and it’s own history. Over the next two weeks, DFB.de will preview all 18 amateur clubs who are featuring in the first round of the 73rd DFB Cup. Today it’s Regionalliga Nord side SV Meppen.
"Köln have re-established themselves"
For Mario Neumann a dream is about to come true; one that the SV Meppen assistant coach had already been predicted by. Long before the first round draw was made, the 48-year-old was certain that there would only be one opponent: 1. FC Köln, the team he has dreamt about since 1978. Ever since his grandma brought him back a poster of a Köln player after a holiday in what was then West Germany.
"Since then I have supported the club through the good times and the bad", said Neumann. But for 90 minutes, perhaps even 120, indeed maybe even for a penalty shootout, he must set aside his lifelong affection for the club. Just as he had always dreamed, SV Meppen, the huge underdogs from the Regionalliga Nord, will host the Bundesliga club on Saturday, 8th August (15:30 CEST) .
So you could say the Neumann is the so-called FC Köln expert at SV Meppen. Whenever he has the chance, he watches the home matches at the RheinEnergieStadion. Even for away games, whenever Köln play in the north of Germany. “They have re-established themselves under Peter Stöger”, said Neumann. “I think it’s remarkable that they were able to stay up without any real threat of relegation, despite being a newly promoted side. Fortunately it seems the turbulent times are over.”
Back in the spotlight– for one day
You can definitely sense the excitement in Meppen ahead of the clearly uneven encounter. It’s also an opportunity to see the once highly regarded and respected clubback on the one of the biggest stages in German football. Their days in the 2. Bundesliga, when fans dreamt of promotion to the Bundesliga, are already 20 years behind us.
After that came a dark age for the club. The club spiralled into sporting and financial decline – into the fifth tier of German football, and into bankruptcy. Since 2011, however, the club has been on the rise again. They were initially able to secure promotion to the Regionalliga, where they have since established themselves once more. Two years ago they finished fourth, last year they managed eighth. And now? What lies ahead for the club?
"The fans want promotion"
"Thanks to our sponsors, we have been able to establish ourselves in this league," said manager Christian Neidhart. “The club is healthy again. That’s the most important thing. But we still only spend whatever money we can afford. We have a certain amount of planning security, which is a real advantage." Most players know that and have stayed. They want to be there when the club takes its next big step.
"The fans want promotion", said Neidhart. "That’s our short and mid-to-long term goal. In any case, it’s very clear that everything has to go right for us in order for it to happen. We need to avoid major injuries, whilst we also need a degree of luck. Getting out of the Regionalliga is twice as difficult because of the relegation play off."
Back in the DFB Cup- next up 1. FC Köln
It’s clear that the club will focus on the winning the league. They want to be near the top from the start and maintain it for the rest of the season. "The big favourites, in my opinion, are Wolfsburg II," said Neidhart. "They have so many options and are almost certain to get promoted. Then there are five or six clubs who will also fancy their chances." Of course he hope his team will be one of them.
First, however, their concentration will be firmly fixed on the huge match against 1. FC Köln. The stadium will be sold out, the atmosphere electric. After 16 years, SV Meppen are finally back in the DFB Cup. The club’s greatest success came in the competition in the 1990/91 season when they reached the round of 16 when they were finally knocked out. Their opponent that day? 1. FC Köln.
created by mmc/jm
Big stages for small clubs. The DFB Cup throws Germany’s amateur clubs into the spotlight. Village teams can face German champions, ambitious Regionalliga sides can go head-to-head with Champions League participants. There have been plenty of cup upsets and shocks in the over 70-year history of the competitions. The cup has it’s own rules and it’s own history. Over the next two weeks, DFB.de will preview all 18 amateur clubs who are featuring in the first round of the 73rd DFB Cup. Today it’s Regionalliga Nord side SV Meppen.
"Köln have re-established themselves"
For Mario Neumann a dream is about to come true; one that the SV Meppen assistant coach had already been predicted by. Long before the first round draw was made, the 48-year-old was certain that there would only be one opponent: 1. FC Köln, the team he has dreamt about since 1978. Ever since his grandma brought him back a poster of a Köln player after a holiday in what was then West Germany.
"Since then I have supported the club through the good times and the bad", said Neumann. But for 90 minutes, perhaps even 120, indeed maybe even for a penalty shootout, he must set aside his lifelong affection for the club. Just as he had always dreamed, SV Meppen, the huge underdogs from the Regionalliga Nord, will host the Bundesliga club on Saturday, 8th August (15:30 CEST) .
So you could say the Neumann is the so-called FC Köln expert at SV Meppen. Whenever he has the chance, he watches the home matches at the RheinEnergieStadion. Even for away games, whenever Köln play in the north of Germany. “They have re-established themselves under Peter Stöger”, said Neumann. “I think it’s remarkable that they were able to stay up without any real threat of relegation, despite being a newly promoted side. Fortunately it seems the turbulent times are over.”
Back in the spotlight– for one day
You can definitely sense the excitement in Meppen ahead of the clearly uneven encounter. It’s also an opportunity to see the once highly regarded and respected clubback on the one of the biggest stages in German football. Their days in the 2. Bundesliga, when fans dreamt of promotion to the Bundesliga, are already 20 years behind us.
After that came a dark age for the club. The club spiralled into sporting and financial decline – into the fifth tier of German football, and into bankruptcy. Since 2011, however, the club has been on the rise again. They were initially able to secure promotion to the Regionalliga, where they have since established themselves once more. Two years ago they finished fourth, last year they managed eighth. And now? What lies ahead for the club?
"The fans want promotion"
"Thanks to our sponsors, we have been able to establish ourselves in this league," said manager Christian Neidhart. “The club is healthy again. That’s the most important thing. But we still only spend whatever money we can afford. We have a certain amount of planning security, which is a real advantage." Most players know that and have stayed. They want to be there when the club takes its next big step.
"The fans want promotion", said Neidhart. "That’s our short and mid-to-long term goal. In any case, it’s very clear that everything has to go right for us in order for it to happen. We need to avoid major injuries, whilst we also need a degree of luck. Getting out of the Regionalliga is twice as difficult because of the relegation play off."
Back in the DFB Cup- next up 1. FC Köln
It’s clear that the club will focus on the winning the league. They want to be near the top from the start and maintain it for the rest of the season. "The big favourites, in my opinion, are Wolfsburg II," said Neidhart. "They have so many options and are almost certain to get promoted. Then there are five or six clubs who will also fancy their chances." Of course he hope his team will be one of them.
First, however, their concentration will be firmly fixed on the huge match against 1. FC Köln. The stadium will be sold out, the atmosphere electric. After 16 years, SV Meppen are finally back in the DFB Cup. The club’s greatest success came in the competition in the 1990/91 season when they reached the round of 16 when they were finally knocked out. Their opponent that day? 1. FC Köln.
