EM 2024 - First Füllkrug breaks a fan's hand, then he sends him a jersey
Football can be painful – even on the tribune. That's what Kai Flathmann had to learn. According to "Bild", the 43-year-old had taken the long journey from Bremerhaven to support the DFB team at the EURO opening match against Scotland. He had secured a spot directly in the first row behind the goal.
And then came Niclas Füllkrug.
DFB Forward Niclas Füllkrug shoots fan during warm-up into hospital
Apparently, Füllkrug hadn't had enough target water during his warm-up. With a powerful shot, he missed the goal and unfortunately hit the Werder fan unluckily on the left hand – bam, broken. Flathmann out of EURO. At least for the opening match.
"I sang the anthem on a stretcher. I didn't know if I should laugh or cry: My dream of the opening match had to be given up unfortunately. But when does one get their hand broken from being too full", quoted "Bild" the injured fan. However, it's unclear how it could have come to that. At games of FC Bayern Munich, there are nets behind the goals that catch sharply shot balls. It's unclear why the protection was removed for the tournament.
However, it's certain: The goal spectacle, in which a subsequently accurate Füllkrug scored the 4:0, that Flathmann had to watch on his phone in the hospital. He only left the clinic after midnight – without surgery, but with a cast.
Injured fan gets signed jersey as apology – and will be present at the second EURO match
At least Flathmann can still sniff EURO air on Wednesday at the second group match of the team against Hungary. He will be there live in Stuttgart – hopefully this time without a target in front of him.
But it will get even better!
According to the German Football Association's confirmation to the DPA on Tuesday, Füllkrug has reportedly contacted Flathmann. The apology package allegedly included a signed jersey from the BVB star. A broken bone with a happy ending. And the cast, it will stay for a few weeks. The anecdote for the regulars' table, that will remain for ever.
Sources: "Bild"; DPA
- Niclas Füllkrug, a forward for the DFB squad, inadvertently shot Kai Flathmann, a fan from Bremerhaven, during the warm-up for the EURO opening match against Scotland, causing an injury that required hospitalization.
- Despite the unfortunate incident, Flathmann's Euversion wasn't completely ruined as he will be present at the second group match of the team against Hungary in Stuttgart.
- As an apology for the accidental injury, Füllkrug reportedly sent Flathmann a signed jersey from Borussia Dortmund, making his Euversion a bit more bearable with a happy ending.
