02.05.2009
News from Der Club over the past month
The month of April saw Der Club turn on the style and the pressure at the business end of 2. Bundesliga. Extending a winning run to five games saw them claim second spot only for a narrow defeat at the end of the month to knock them out of the promotion places.
However, with the end of the season now in sight, 1. FCN have put themselves in the reckoning for glory in the coming weeks. But their current position has come at the cost of key players, reports Jon Goulding in his monthly round-up.
Friday 3rd April - Spring is coming - the Club too!
A 2-0 victory courtesy of a double strike by Marek ‘Phantom’ Mintal secured three points but the sweet taste of victory was somewhat bittered by a serious injury to captain Andy Wolf.
On a beautiful spring evening, as early as the eighth minute Javier Pinola troubled Koblenz goalkeeper Yelldell but it was not until the 36th that the deadlock was broken.
The first red-black buds of spring sprouted as a great ball from Andy Wolf found Isaac Boakye in the channel. And who was there in front of goals, 10 metres out? Of course, the Phantom! Marek Mintal smashed an unstoppable shot into the net
Somehow Koblenz got away without conceding a second before the break with Mintal and Boakye both going close. And it was down to Raphael Schaefer that Der Club prevented the visitors from equalizing.
After the interval, the TV cameras and the gaze of the crowd were directed at the Koblenz goal. Eigler, Boakye and Mintal all went very close before Mintal tucked away a 75th minute penalty.
Spring had arrived in Nuremberg and 1. FCN started to grow in stature in the promotion race as they held on easily to take the three points.
However, when Andy Wolf went down in the 63rd minute, fans feared the worst. They were right to do so. Wolf’s injury to his knee will keep him out for several months and 1. FCN will miss his inspirational performances and leadership in the centre of defence.
Mike Frantz said of the game, "We know that we need a series of wins and win almost all our remaining games. Today it worked again.”
Goalscoring hero Marek Mintal told reporters that, "These were three important points again… We are once again pleased. Koblenz is not an easy team for our system, we had many long balls to play. Ultimately, we dominated the game… My father was visiting today, when is there, we have always won."
3-0 in Oberhausen
The Easter period got off to a fantastic start for all Clubberer as a superb victory in Oberhausen on Thursday 9th April had the fans celebrating and the players sporting T-shirts carrying the words "Get well soon, Andy!" for their injured captain Andy Wolf.
It took Der Club much of the first half-hour to acclimatize and find their rhythm against the host team. However, they struck the first blow in the 29th minute as Mintal hammered home from the edge of the six-yard box after a fine run by Dennis Diekmeier.
Hardly had the supporters calmed, when there was again cause for jubilation. The clock showed the 31st Minute: Mintal released Frantz on the left side. A high ball into the penalty area was met by Peer Kluge for his second headed goal of the season and his career.
Christian Eigler nearly added a third in the 53rd minute but the ball rebounded from the post. However, he made sure that the ball hit the net in the 71st minute with a goal comparable to his fine effort against Fuerth earlier in the season.
At the final whistle, the 2,500 travelling fans celebrated another three points and the players expressed their best wishes to Andy Wolf via their T-shirts.
Christian Eigler said, "Three away goals - that's something. Initially, we did not play too well but then we have scored two in two minutes… The concentration shall now be the home match against St. Pauli. We must remain focused and think from game to game. "
Mike Frantz: "It was great today… Let's see what the competition does at the weekend - we're on the right track now. It was now also a victory for Andy Wolf. Andy is irreplaceable… The fans are really good crazy, we have the best fans in the league! "
The madness continues!
What a crazy, sweaty afternoon of football. With a happy ending for the club! Sunday 19th April saw a 2-0 victory over St Pauli. And, after Mainz drew 0-0 with Rot Weiss Ahlen, in no small part thanks to ex-1. FCN keeper Dirk Langer, Der Club jumped into second place.
In a thrilling first half St Pauli were unlucky not to score through Hoilett (21st minute), Morena (29th) and Schulz (32nd). There misfortune was complete 60 seconds later when Ebbers was given offside.
But in the 39th minute 1. FCN set themselves on course for a fifth straight victory. A headed goal from defender Pascal Bieler made it 1-0 and Der Club never looked back.
In the second half, a double red card saw Isaac Boakye tangle with Egger leaving the referee with no choice but to send each player from the pitch.
It was then left to Marek Mintal to seal victory with his thirteenth goal of the season. A superb pass from Mike Frantz put Mintal through on Hain before carefully picking his moment and making it 2-0 in the 64th minute. Michael Oenning gave a sigh of relief and said, "That was a foretaste of what awaits us now."
Peer Kluge was also relieved, "In the first half we had a bit of luck, but in the second half we played very well… As a team we have now found harmony.”
Raphael Schäfer said, "We are now the hunted and must learn to handle the pressure… We can not allow mistakes, everybody has to stay hot, continue to fight.”
Defeat in Frankfurt
Despite the support of 12,000 travelling fans, the 1. FCN winning run came to an end as hosts FSV Frankfurt came from a goal behind to seal a 2-1 victory on Sunday 26th April. And to rub further salt into the wounds of Der Club, Marek Mintal was sent from the field of play in the closing seconds of the game.
In a lively game 1. FCN were largely superior in the first half producing some chances. However, it was not until the 34th minute that Marcel Risse released Christian Eigler who, after a short sprint, finished well to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Unfortunately, a few minutes later in the 42nd minute, a corner from the right was met by the head of Barletta and FSV were level.
After the break Peer Kluge and Mintal went close, while at the other end Raphael Schaefer was made three very good saves.
In the 81st minute the hosts dealt 1. FCN a killer blow with a goal from Mikolajczak. Markus Fuchs was sent on for his debut by coach Oenning and in the dying seconds the 1. FCN II player narrowly missed with a headed chance.
A few seconds later, Marek Mintal saw red for insulting the referee.
While clearly disappointed at losing, and concerned about the loss of Mintal, joining Boakye under suspension and the injured Andy Wolf, Oenning looked forward. “We have the chance in the next home game against Ingolstadt to get three points. I maintain that until the last match it will remain tough and that we are still in with a good chance of promotion.”
1. FC Nürnberg II
A mixed month for 1. FCN II
Wanting to consolidate their position at the top end of the Regionalliga Süd, the second eleven found the going tough in April. A draw at home against Ulm was followed by victory in Bamberg but unfortunately the month ended with a crushing defeat at the hands of 1860 Munich, with the team dropping to fifth in the table by the end of the month.
www.fcn.de/en/club-news/april-2009/