Football: The Ultimate Team Sport - Füllkrug and Joselu make their way to the Champions League final.
In the Champions League final face-off between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, second-division club Hannover 96 is also in the spotlight. Real Madrid's striker Joselu, along with Dortmund national player Niclas Füllkrug, spent a considerable part of their careers at Niedersachsen.
Hannover's professional football manager, Martin Kind, spoke to the German Press Agency, expressing pride that players like these are connected to their club, showcasing the successful decisions made by the team.
Füllkrug is a unique situation, said Kind. He hails from Hannover and aims to return there after his career ends. Following the Bundesliga relegation in 2019, the club sold him for 6.5 million euros to Werder Bremen.
The 34-year-old Joselu scored goals for Real Madrid in the semi-finals against Bayern Munich, which led them to the final at London's Wembley Stadium (Saturday, 9 p.m./ZDF and DAZN). Moreover, he is also set to represent Spain at the Euros in Germany post-tournament. It's worth noting that Hannover fans might not remember Joselu's time there during the 2014/15 season.
"Our sports management had noted back then that this player still possessed immense potential for growth," said Kind. "His performance has since been verified, as we had previously sold him at a profit to England."
Hannover acquired the Stuttgart-born player for five million euros from 1899 Hoffenheim and later sold him for eight million to Stoke City. His career skyrocketed later in Spain at Espanyol Barcelona and then at his desired club, Real Madrid.
"Back then, we weren't the team capable of advancing players like Füllkrug and Joselu. Currently, we are a club that only serves as a stop-off for them. We are left with the question, 'What do we gather from this?' said Kind. "We must identify talents, provide them with a future outlook, and be able to keep them with us for some time. Additionally, it's helpful when players like Füllkrug and Joselu, now, bring us some recognition as Hannover 96."
The Champions League final pages for Borussia Dortmund and Real MadridA comparison of the teams
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- The Champions League final this year features two renowned teams: Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, with two of their players, Niclas Füllkugg and Joselu, having spent part of their careers in Hanover, Germany.
- Nineteenth-division club Hanover 96 is also gaining attention in the Champions League final discussion, as Joselu and Füllkugg have strong connections to Lower Saxony.
- Real Madrid's striker Joselu notched goals for his team in the semi-finals against Bayern Munich, helping secure a spot in the final at London's Wembley Stadium, while also being selected for Spain's Euros team post-tournament.
- Borussia Dortmund's Niclas Füllkrug, hailing from Hannover, aims to return to his hometown after his soccer career, having been sold to Werder Bremen for 6.5 million euros following Hanover's Bundesliga relegation in 2019.
- Martin Kind, Hannover's professional football manager, is proud of this connection to his club and the successful decisions made, stating, "We identified talents, provided them with a future outlook, and were able to keep them with us for some time."
- Joselu had a short stint with Hannover during the 2014/15 season and later moved to England's Stoke City before skyrocketing to success in Spain at Espanyol Barcelona and Real Madrid.
- Hanover initially acquired the Stuttgart-born player for five million euros from 1899 Hoffenheim, only to later sell him to Stoke City for eight million euros.
- Kind understands the club's role as a stepping stone for players like Füllkugg and Joselu, saying, "We must learn from this and strive to retain our talents and provide them with a future perspective, as well as gain recognition for Hanover 96."
- The German Press Agency reported Pasqual Martin Kind's comments, with the Champions League final in Europe serving as a reminder of the long-term impact the soccer club can have on talented players.
