Fanfreundschaft

Saturday 19th November sees the Bundesliga host this season’s first Schalke 04 and 1.FC Nuremberg Fanfreundschaftspiel (the fan friendship game) . The day when arguably the two most famous German football teams (historically speaking) play each other. Der Club of Franconia against Gelsenkirchen’s Koenigsblau. The fans will party together before, during and after the game but why?

It all started back in the 80s when the fans of 1.FCN and S04 had the unenviable reputation of being quite probably the two most feared ‘firms’ in German football. The story goes (and please add a comment below if you can confirm or dispute this) that a Nuremberg supporting girl had arranged to meet a Borussia Moenchengladbach supporting boy. Romeo and Juliet (although I’m certain these were not their real names) both took along a posse of friends who, from a distance, would make sure neither of the two young lovers came to any harm. It seems that at some point during the ‘proceedings’ these groups clashed but the out-numbered Glubberer were miraculously supported by passing Schalke fans. The combined forces fought off the Moenchengladbach assailants and from that point on ‘worked’ together. However much of this story actually happened (again – please comment below if you know), one thing remains true, and that is the rare freindship between the fans of both clubs.

But another, more immediate, fact also exists. Even now, after just 12 games of the current season, the points at stake for this match are hugely important for each team. Should Nuremberg lose then there is a very real possibility that they will fall into the bottom three and be nervously eyeing the trap door to the second division. Should they, as underdogs, manage a first win in the Veltins Arena, then the 1.FCN worries will be eased a little and hope and optimism will return for at least another week. Defeat for Schalke could allow a gap to begin to open between themselves and the coveted top three Champion’s League qualification places. A win could put S04 firmly within them.

As the half way point of the season fast approaches,  jostling for positions is heating up. Just one game it may be on Saturday, but maintaining momentum at the top, or halting a concerning run of form at the bottom is vital. Schalke are clear favourites and there are few who would bet against them. A single point, although not a huge help at the wrong end of the table, would be accepted by most Glubberer as a fantastic result. For S04, three points will be firmly expected.

Whatever happens over the 9o minutes,  when the two teams take to the field on Saturday there will be no friendship  for the players. And why should there be – these are tw0 sets of professionals desperately battling for Bundesliga points. The league positions are currently very different but the desire to win will not be. And nor will it be for the fans either. But in true Fanfreundschaft style the two sets of supporters will celebrate and commiserate together after the game in a truly rare moment for a sport in which fans are too often (and too often rightly so) much maligned for their behaviour. What really needs celebrating is that something special came from the darker days of 1980s hooliganism and has stood the test of time.

I’ve never heard any anecdotal evidence to suggest that the SO4 boy and 1.FCN girl went on to live happily ever after and have many Nuremberg and Schalke supporting offspring to their name. Let 1FCNUK know if you know any different. If they did it should be made into a Broadway musical!

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