Kick-off in Düsseldorf: DFB Cup goes on tour

The starting signal for the first DFB Cup Tour was given on Friday in Düsseldorf. DFB and ERGO are sending the golden cup on a journey around Germany until  May. Fans in Düsseldorf were excited.

The first DFB Cup Tour, jointly organised by the German Football Federation (DFB) and ERGO, as the official partner of the DFB Cup, officially got under way at the Marktplatz in Düsseldorf on Friday. The golden cup will be travelling around Germany in its own tour bus, which also doubles as a mobile cup museum, until 4 May 2017. Fans can be photographed with the trophy on a winner’s podium in eight more cities. “The cup is simply something special”, explains sports presenter Gerhard Delling, who was also present at the kick-off of the tour. “There’s always a unique atmosphere at the DFB Cup Final in Berlin.

ERGO Germany Board member Achim Kassow is thrilled about the start

“With ERGO, the DFB has found a reliable partner inspired by football, a partner who shares our great passion for the DFB Cup”, explains DFB General Secretary Dr. Friedrich Curtius. Dr. Achim Kassow, Board member of ERGO Germany, was also very pleased about the start of the Cup Tour and drew attention in particular to the ERGO ball kids campaign. At the various stops on the tour, two final tickets will be given away as well as the coveted role as ball kid at the final in Berlin. “Being there is every child’s dream,” says Kassow, adding with a smile: “It’s such a shame my children are not allow to take part.”

Fans can go on a journey of discovery in the DFB Cup tour bus and experience once again key moments in the DFB Cup’s history. “It’s such a great experience,” says Olaf Thon, who played twice in the DFB Cup Final as a FC Schalke player. But his greatest cup moment was the legendary 6:6 score in the semi-final against Bayern Munich in 1984. “In the 123rd minute, I scored to level the match at 6:6,” recalled Thon, raving “The Bayern goalkeeper Jean-Marie Pfaff didn’t stand a chance.” An original ticket for the Schalke stadium on show in the tour bus is a reminder of this tumultuous game.

Many fans want to have a photo with the cup

Fans and visitors to Düsseldorf naturally also came to the Marktplatz to see the golden cup. Like the Menzel family from Hamm. “It’s really special to be so close to the cup.” His son Oliver is also thrilled to have his photo taken with the trophy. The 12-year old is a Schalke fan and hopes that his “Royal Blues” will win this cup again sometime soon: “Maybe we’ll do it in 2022,” says Oliver hopefully.

This Friday was an extra-special day for Hubertus Wuttke from Willich: “It’s my 55th birthday today,” reveals the Fortuna Düsseldorf fan. Logically, he also wanted to have his photo taken with the cup. Hubertus Wuttke already has good memories from Düsseldorf’s Marktplatz: “In 1979 and 1980, I celebrated Fortuna Düsseldorf’s cup win right here,” he explains.

Next stop: Mönchengladbach

And although the cup itself is actually going on a tour around Germany, it seemed as if people from all over Germany had come to Düsseldorf to see the cup: fans of FC St. Pauli, who were in the city that day because of the second league  match against Fortuna Düsseldorf to members of the voluntary Granheim Fire Service near Ulm. Even a stag party from Manchester came to look at the golden cup.

The DFB Cup tour bus has now moved on and can be visited on Saturday from 11.00 in Mönchengladbach (Alter Markt).