Hosting a farewell game two and a half years after the last league game seems like a strange idea. Corona sends its regards. Six other players said goodbye at the game, two of whom have already ended their careers. And then there was the weather that couldn't have been more Hamburgian. Sounds absurd, right?
Ultimately it was a wonderful and entertaining afternoon. A worthy end for Jan-Philipp Kalla as a FC St. Pauli player – and an absolutely deserved one at that. 173 games for one club, 17 years in brown and white – a great career. Thank you Schnecke for sticking your bones out for FC St. Pauli.
Of course, the players, some of whom had traveled from far away, and a good-humoured audience also contributed to the success. Over 10000 people came to the Millerntor to cheer on Schnecke one last time. It doesn't matter that the youngsters scored more often in the farewell game than their father (in his entire career).
Unfortunately, one particular spectator didn't make it to the game. Antje captured the events at Millerntor photographically for around two decades. The number 27 was emblazoned on her photo plate. Unfortunately, she lost her battle with cancer last week. I have a lot to thank her for and will miss her. It was a very emotional moment to see them flash across the video screen with a greeting before the game. The players then stopped for a moment while warming up.
What was funny was that Ewald Lienen came as coach of the losing team a good 10 minutes after kick-off. He didn't complain about today's traffic jams on the Elbe bridges, but took the S-Bahn from Harburg. Or Rouwen Hennings, who of course still had a lot of breath as a current player, had to listen to laughing insults from various companions during his tempo runs. Speaking of breath: Florian Lechner appears to be in great shape - in my opinion, he could still cross the flanks for a middle-class second division team. Some others didn't look quite as elegant at first glance, but still had amazing power. Kudos, I wish I had ever been that fit.
All in all, I think everyone had a good time. Thanks to everyone involved for the great time.
The Millernton then still has all details about the game.
Such beautiful pictures. The feeling comes across.
The picture of Antje, Michel next to it and the gray sky brought tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat...
Such beautiful, expressive pictures full of emotions!
How appealing the photographs are depends on the subject and not the camera technology.
Great job!