German Cup Competition - Fritz Walter welcomed in Kaiserslautern's atmosphere.
Over 5,000 fans greeted 1. FC Kaiserslautern and coach Friedhelm Funkel with a wild welcome after returning from the cup final. On Sunday, they both appeared on Stiftsplatz, where the second division team and the departing coach bid farewell for the summer break.
Funkel, a 70-year-old, reflected on his 14-week tenure, admitting, "It wasn't always easy. It wasn't always easy with the players, the people in charge, but it wasn't always easy with me either." However, he looked back with pride at rescuing the Palatinate from relegation and winning a DFB Cup semifinal against 1. FC Saarbrücken. He expressed gratitude for the team's performance, stating, "But we pulled ourselves together. The team always delivered when it mattered most."
Despite losing 1-0 to German champions Bayer Leverkusen in the final on Saturday, fans remained optimistic, singing "Fritz Walter weather, we have Fritz Walter weather." The reference to the 1954 World Cup win by the German national team, captained by Lauter's legendary player, was upbeat.
Team captain Jean Zimmer thanked the fans, noting their unwavering support. "A big thank you to those who were there and are here today, who made this weekend so special," he said. FCK's managing director, Thomas Hengen, remarked, "The fans' support was incredible."
The club bid farewell to nine players and team manager Florian Dick, who wants to retire from soccer temporarily. Among those leaving are Kevin Kraus, Philipp Hercher, Julian Niehus (now at 1. FC Heidenheim), Ben Zolinski, and Robin Himmelmann. The loaned players Nikola Soldo (1. FC Köln), Filip Stojilkovic (SV Darmstadt 98), Ba-Muaka Simakala (Holstein Kiel), and Tymoteusz Puchacz (1. FC Union Berlin) will also depart.
Choreography in the Lauterer Kurve of the Olympic Stadium was also mentioned, with a massive red devil looming under the stadium roof. Fans set off many prohibited pyrotechnics during the match, causing the game to stop for several minutes after halftime. The traditional club now faces a substantial fine from the DFB's sports court.
In conclusion, FCK fans celebrated the team's performance in the cup final and bid farewell to their departing members, despite facing a hefty fine from the DFB.
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Source: www.stern.de
