League season off to a winning start

Boakye made a goal scoring debut in the first game of the 2.Bundesliga season on Sunday 17th August. Der Club beat FC Augsburg 2:1 in front of 39,700 spectators in the Easy Credit Stadium. A Javier Pinola penalty secured the three points.

The first goal came in the 22nd minute after a collision between Augsburg goalkeeper Neuhaus and defender Hertzsch. The ball fell to Mario Breska who unselfishly passed to Boakye for a straightforward finish. Both Augsburg players were carried from the pitch by stretcher and played no further part in the game.

"Pino" scores

To their credit, Augsburg fought hard and it was only after a 52nd minute penalty awarded for a Khizaneishvili pull on Andy Wolf that Nuremberg looked to be gaining control. Pinola fired the penalty straight into the middle of the goal. However, the two goal advantage was short-lived with Torghelle scoring for the visitors just two minutes later and 1.FCN were made to sweat it out until the final whistle as both teams created useful openings.

Coach Thomas von Heesen admitted that Augsburg had made the game difficult for his team and President Michael Roth agreed saying that the 2.Bundesliga will not be easy.

Wolf faces long spell on the sidelines

Meanwhile, goal scoring debutant Boakye commented on the sensational atmosphere in the stadium and was clearly pleased with his first game for Der Club.

The victory over Augsburg was somewhat soured when centre half Andy Wolf was carried from the pitch in the 72nd minute having torn knee ligaments. The team captain now looks certain to have a lengthy spell on the sidelines. He will be missed immensely by the team and everyone at 1.FCN wishes him a full and speedy recovery.

Resignation

Club coach Thomas von Heesen resigned from his role on Thursday 28th August. He told reporters that, "Due to the current situation, which has gained momentum in a way I would never have thought possible, I have decided to relinquish my office here. I find it incomprehensible that a coach's position can be so comprehensively cast into doubt just two games into the season - particularly in the knowledge a reconstructed, rejuvenated team needs time to develop." Adding that he wished the players all the best and that he hoped the team could achieve the success everyone hoped for, von Heesen's departure comes a little over six months after he took over from Hans Meyer.

Vittek departs for France

After five years in Nuremberg, striket Robert Vittek completed a transfer to OSC Lille. With 36 goals in 124 league games for Der Club, 26 year old Vittek had his best spell in the second half of the 2005-06 season with 16 goals in 17 games.

The club thanks Robert for the great years and wishes him well in the French league.

Draw against Aachen

1.FCN caretaker coach Micheal Oenning brought Matthew Spiranovic, Marek Mintal and Angelos Charisteas into the team for the home game against Aachen on the last day of the month.

30,113 spectators saw Der Club concede two goals without reply in the first half. However, in the second half, Christian Eigler pulled one back with a shot from the edge of the penalty area in the 49th minute and Daniel Gygax levelled matters following confusion in the Aachen defence in the 68th. Nuremberg nearly sealed a victory when a Mintal cross found Charisteas who was unlucky to see his header rebound from the post.

Players Eigler, Schäfer and Goncalves were all of the opinion that Der Club should have taken three points but all involved were happy with a positive performance. Manager Martin Bader said that the players provided everything the fans wanted to see. "With their performance the players have sent out a clear signal," he added.