schwatzgelb.com | Remember, remember the 6th of December

Remember, remember the 6th of December

I was still a kid then. It was 1994. It was the 6th of December 1994. Whereas I can not recall if it was cold or super cold night I still have not forgotten a single second of what happened just a few minutes before the end of extra time.

Borussia faced Deportivo La Coruna in the round of the last 16 of the UEFA Cup. Borussia had lost the away tie 1-0. A Zorc goal early on in the second half was enough to bring the tie into extra time. Still in front of 35.400 BVB supporters it was Alfredo who equalized after 102 minutes. Now 2 goals were needed to reach the quarters. Young Lars Ricken had entered the pitch after 72 minutes. Thomas Franck, one of the forgotten players of the period, was substituted for him. The other players on the Westfalenstadion pitch after 105 minutes were:

Stefan Klos, Matthias Sammer, Bodo Schmidt, Julio Cesar, Steffen Freund, Michael Zorc, Andreas Möller, Knut Reinhard, Karl-Heinz Riedle and Martin Kree, who was brought in to replace the exhausted Chapuisat and take the game to penalties in the 99th minute. There were no penalties to take that night. And only 15 minutes left. And two goals needed.

Back in a Dortmund suburb my dad got dressed. It was my mum's birthday. But dad had promised to pick me up after the match. There was a school I had to go to. While my dad got dressed back in the Westfalenstadion Norbert Dickel, the legend that he is, played „Heja BVB" over the stadium loudspeakers. The fans that had not left the stadium after the La Coruna equalizer, sang along.. We until then had played a good season and where still in the race for our first league Bundesliga Meisterschaft. And why not honor that and honor a team that had fought so brave. However: No miracle to expect. Even on Santa Claus day. It was all over.

Meanwhile back in the Dortmund suburb my dad took his seat again. Karl-Heinz Riedle scored the 2-1 after 116 minutes, just a couple of minutes after Norbert Dickel had played „Heja BVB" over the stadium loudspeakers. Four minutes to go and all of a sudden at least a small door was open again. „Do something!", was the loudest cry youd hear inside the stadium. People were getting into fist fights just to do something. Not hurting each other but just fighting to do something. Others stood quietly and others jumped up and down knowing the world would not end on that day.

My dad was down to his knees, I was standing in Block 12, at the fence to 13. There was a load of space now, Norbert Dickel played „Heja BVB" again, a Sammer free kick from the half way line was flying into the box and bounced back into midfield. Bodo Schmidt, not known for his talent as a playmaker got the ball with a long leg, 117 min 32 seconds were played until then. Schmidt curved through a bunch of La Coruna players, on the stands someone shouted „Bodo" and Bodo hit the ball with his foot, not in a Götze style but in a Schmidt style. The ball reached young Lars Ricken inside the box, maybe 14 meters away from the goal, right side. It took Ricken only one touch to put the ball past Liano right underneath the cross bar. Andi Möller was the first to realize, his arms shot up and he jumped as the ball hit the back of the net, behind the goal the famous Südtribüne exploded. Jumping up and down, tumbling not getting up. A roar unheard in years unfolded.

Back in the suburb my dad jumped as high as he could, reaching the wall, in the Westfalenstadion there was no way for me to jump any more. I was lying underneath a pile of Borussia Dortmund supporters, shouting as loud as I was able to shout. 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes and I was still down on the stairs, underneath a pile of Borussia Dortmund fans. As the game ended I was able to get up. And celebrate with the team. In a half empty Westfalenstadion. Those who had left will never forget that night, those who had stayed behind sometimes wake up with that Westfalenstadion roar in mind. And my dad got into his car and picked me up from the stadium. It might have been of the best birthday presents my mum ever got. Only some three seasons later she'd be proud owner of a season ticket to the Süd. Where she now goes every fortnight. Happy Birthday, Mum! The Young Guns might as well have another huge present for you tonight. Remember, remember the 6th of December!

The teams:

BVB: Weidenfeller - Piszczek, Santana, Hummels, Löwe - Götze, Kehl - Kuba, Lewandowski, Großkreutz - Barrios

Olympique Marseille: Mandanda - Azpilicueta, Diawara, Nkoulou, Traoré - Diarra, Mbia - Amalfitano, Lucho Gonzalez, A. Ayew - Remy

Ref: Howard Webb (GB) / Fourth Official: Mike Dean (GB)

Kick-Off: 8.45 pm CET

Westfalenstadion, 65.590 spectators (sold out)

Follow our live ticker. Angry Web presents you yet another miracle on December 6th

steph, 06.12.2011

Lars Ricken scores

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Akis G7
Posts: 6

remember?
Reply #6 on : Wed December 07, 2011, 13:54:06

Yeah remember the 6th of december 2011 as the day that you let the french team embarass you in your field just to let them be in 16
You are the worst team ever and you deserved the 4th place

Ida
Posts: 6

Re: Remember, remember the 6th of December
Reply #5 on : Wed December 07, 2011, 15:15:56

At least WE know, that our team is still the greatest team in the world. Fair, down to earth and they are still growing. And we know that, we don't turn our backs on the team just because of another (unnecessary) defeat. Wait another couple of years and then please comment again. Let's see how that sounds then.
And if you can't stand defeats and potential to grow, please go and support Chelsea or Bayern or another shit team from around the world and be happy with a team noone can identify with.

Scherben
Posts: 6

Re: Remember, remember the 6th of December
Reply #4 on : Wed December 07, 2011, 15:24:54

I guess that young man is frustrated, because he supports Olympiacos. That's all, Ida.

(To be honest: If I were an Olympiacos supporter I would probably feel the same way. But nevertheless: You cannot expect to award to the last 16, if all you have is nine points.)

Ida
Posts: 6

Re: Remember, remember the 6th of December
Reply #3 on : Wed December 07, 2011, 15:30:55

Yeah, figured that one out already. So what? Piräus should have done better if they had wanted to qualify for the play offs...it is as simple as that. "worst team ever"...my `BVB pride seriously feels offended when I read comments like that. I am not naive, I know we sucked in the CL. Still, go complain somewhere else. Piräus played againt Arsenal amateurs...we would have managed to win that game in that formation.

Akis G7
Posts: 6

Re: Remember, remember the 6th of December
Reply #2 on : Sat December 24, 2011, 02:05:09

Your players was laughing aswell with your headcoach after a defeat in their home on that game
You should have feel shame not support them.....
About the only 9 points.....let me remind you that on some other group someone took first place with nine
Plus the 90% of teams with nine points pass to the next round in cl history.if you dont believe go check
But yes you are the worst team in the world for loosing like that, all you care about is how to win Bayern....
But Ida first look how your team sucked in cl and then talk about what Olympiacos do or not do

web
Posts: 6

Shame?
Reply #1 on : Sat December 24, 2011, 09:37:31

If you think we should feel ashamed for our team and should not be proud of them, you don't understand what it means to really love your team. We support our team on good days and bad days and they have made us so proud with many great matches this year that losing one in a ridiculous way can't change that. Have fun in the Europa League and stop whining!
Merry Christmas everyone!