Prior to Podolski's goodbye, a zealous Polish fan perpetrated a fatal stabbing.
Loads of fans head to Poldi's last game. Tragic events precede it: A fan gets critically stabbed. And cops face bottle attacks.
A fight breaks out between two groups close to Cologne Cathedral, leaving a 32-year-old Polish football fan in critical condition with a stab wound. The suspect, reportedly a 17-year-old, fled the scene with blood stains on his clothes, authorities revealed.
Conflicts apparently escalated between the Polish fans and a local group in the city center for unknown reasons. The unidentified attacker slashed the Polish fan in the stomach using a sharp object. He was rushed to the hospital and required immediate surgery. Meanwhile, another group of Polish supporters reportedly attacked police officers stationed at the cathedral, according to police reports. Nine officers were injured, primarily due to being hit with bottles, and two are temporarily unable to work.
The much-anticipated farewell match for Lukas Podolski, former German international, is scheduled in Cologne that evening. Joachim Löw, former Germany manager, will join forces with Andreas Köpke, former goalkeeper coach, and Hansi Flick, current coach of FC Barcelona, to manage the "Poldi 11" team. Löw has been jobless since his departure from the DFB following the 2021 European Championship.
Besides Podolski, eight other 2014 World Cup champions, including Manuel Neuer, are part of the squad for the 20.45 kick-off at ProSieben and ran.de. With five-time world's best goalkeeper Neuer recently retiring from the national team, Matthias Ginter from SC Freiburg and Hannover 96's Ron-Robert Zieler are among the current Bundesliga and second division professionals participating in the game against the "Team FC". The DFB goaltending trio of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil is rounded off by Roman Weidenfeller.
Erik Durm, Kevin Großkreutz, Benedikt Höwedes, Christoph Kramer, and Per Mertesacker are some of the other players lacing up their boots for Poldi. On the opposite side, the "Team FC" gathers old pals from Podolski's 1. FC Cologne days and nine second-division professionals, including captain Timo Hübers.
Amidst the tension in the city, some soccer fans decide to attend Poldi's game despite the disturbances, hoping for a moment of peace. Regrettably, the events from earlier in the day cast a shadow over the much-anticipated match, with several police officers reportedly injured during clashes with supporters.
