The champagne corks were popping for SpVgg Neckarelz on Saturday evening, after the sixth-tier club from the town of Mosbach near Heidelberg drew Bayern in the first round of the 2009-10 DFB German Cup. Former women’s international Renate Lingor and Germany goalkeeping coach Andreas Köpke made the draw live on TV from the Norisring race circuit in Nuremnberg.
“It’s like winning the lottery. It’s the most exciting event in our club’s 88 year history,“ enthused Neckarelz chief Thomas Ulmer, who watched the draw with officials and players at the Zur Arena club house. “We’re overjoyed and we’re looking forward to it. It’s a dream come true, and we won’t be able to hold back the euphoria now,“ said coach Peter Hogan.
First weekend in August
The 32 first round ties will be played from 31 July to 3 August 2009. It seems unlikely that Bayern will be asked to appear at Neckarelz’ own Elzstadion, as the Baden regional cup winners’ home ground boasts a capacity of just 5,500. The game could well be switched to nearby Mannheim or Sinsheim, TSG Hoffenheim’s home stadium.
“Naturally, we don’t know a great deal about our opponents,” commented FCB director of sport Christian Nerlinger. “The cup has its own rules, as everyone always says, but we obviously have to be beating this kind of team and making it to the next round.“ Neckarelz finished fourth in the North Baden regional league last term.
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