Big stages for small clubs. The DFB Cup throws Germany’s amateur clubs into the spotlight. Village teams can face German champions; ambitious Regionalliga sides can go head-to-head with Champions League participants. There have been plenty of cup upsets and shocks in the over 70-year history of the competitions. The cup has its own rules and its own history. Over the next two weeks, DFB.de will preview all 18 amateur clubs who are featuring in the first round of the 73rd DFB Cup. Today it’s Bremer SV from the Bremen-Liga.
Ole Laabs is one with Cup experience
The tingling sensation at the draw for the DFB Cup, the anticipation of the game and media interest are all things that Ole Laabs gets to experience for the third time. The 29-year-old will line up with Bremer SV against Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday 8th August at 15:30 CEST.
He has mixed experiences so far in the Cup. In 2012 he drew the big one with FC Oberneuland – defending League and Cup Champions Borussia Dortmund. A crowd of over 19,000 came to the Weserstadion, and it was enough to give you goosebumps. But Ole Laabs was only able to experience this from the stands, because the new signing had not been included in the squad that day. “That was a huge disappointment for me,” says Laabs. “But as an arrival from the Bremen-Liga, I had no entitlement to go straight into the starting eleven.”
Last season was better for the defensive midfielder, as he was able to play for Bremer SV, where he rejoined in the summer of 2013, against relegated Bundesliga side Eintracht Braunschweig. And he played the full 90 minutes. The fifth-division side put in a remarkable performance, but still just lost 1-0. “We made a good go of it and found some good openings, we even hit the bar once,” says Laabs. “We could be proud of the game.”
"Frankfurt are on another level"
Will the spirit of the Cup be revived against Eintracht Frankfurt? Ole Laabs can only grin: “Frankfurt are on another level. We just want to give a sound performance and show that we can also play football.” The anticipation is big when a Bundesliga side comes to town. The game is also taking place in Ole Laabs’ hometown. Bremer’s home ground does not fulfil the requirements for a big Cup match, so the game will be played at FC Oberneuland’s stadium. The Sportpark am Vinnenweg has a capacity of around 5,000. “I think it’s a nice stadium,” says Laabs. “Everything is quite tight. When there are 3000-4000 spectators in there, it is a small inferno.”
Ole Laabs enjoyed a good training in football. Like many other players for Bremer SV, he also progressed through the youth academy at SV Werder Bremen. He wore the green and white shirt at several age groups and admits, “of course I dreamt of playing professional football.” Some boys he grew up and trained with are now well-known first teamers, such as Aaron Hunt and Christian Schulz. Ola Laabs was not as fortunate: “the academy coach never really backed me so I left the club. When I arrived at men’s football and stagnated somewhat, I was realistic. I then preferred to concentrate on studying and my job.”
Twice Bremen-Liga champions, twice missed promotion
Ole Laabs is currently training to be a policeman and this had a nice side benefit. Last year he was able to take part in the European Police and Fire Games in the Czech Republic and even won the title. The level in police sport is higher than many think. “The national police team could be a strong contender in the Regionalliga,” thinks Laabs. “That also applies to some other nations.”
In recent seasons there have been fewer reasons for joy at Bremer SV in terms of the league. Although Klaus Gelsdorf’s team always dominate the Bremen-Liga, winning the league by eleven and eight points in 2013/14 and 2014/15 respectively, his team have failed to secure promotion to the Regionalliga both times. “One year ago we were clearly eliminated because we simply weren’t up to the right level,” explains Laabs. “But this time it was tight, so that’s why the disappointment was so big.”
Bremer SV want to attack again next season. The team from west Bremen, however, will have to do without their top striker, as Iman Bi-Ria has moved to SV Atlas Delmenhorst after scoring 149 goals in 115 appearances in the Bremen-Liga. “We’ve also got some new arrivals coming in,” says Laabs, remaining confident. Virtually the entire squad comes from Bremen or the surrounding area, because the club is not allowed to pay anything, so there are no signings from outside the region. The wage should solely be the sporting experience – such as the DFB Cup game against Eintracht Frankfurt.
created by mmc/clm
Big stages for small clubs. The DFB Cup throws Germany’s amateur clubs into the spotlight. Village teams can face German champions; ambitious Regionalliga sides can go head-to-head with Champions League participants. There have been plenty of cup upsets and shocks in the over 70-year history of the competitions. The cup has its own rules and its own history. Over the next two weeks, DFB.de will preview all 18 amateur clubs who are featuring in the first round of the 73rd DFB Cup. Today it’s Bremer SV from the Bremen-Liga.
Ole Laabs is one with Cup experience
The tingling sensation at the draw for the DFB Cup, the anticipation of the game and media interest are all things that Ole Laabs gets to experience for the third time. The 29-year-old will line up with Bremer SV against Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday 8th August at 15:30 CEST.
He has mixed experiences so far in the Cup. In 2012 he drew the big one with FC Oberneuland – defending League and Cup Champions Borussia Dortmund. A crowd of over 19,000 came to the Weserstadion, and it was enough to give you goosebumps. But Ole Laabs was only able to experience this from the stands, because the new signing had not been included in the squad that day. “That was a huge disappointment for me,” says Laabs. “But as an arrival from the Bremen-Liga, I had no entitlement to go straight into the starting eleven.”
Last season was better for the defensive midfielder, as he was able to play for Bremer SV, where he rejoined in the summer of 2013, against relegated Bundesliga side Eintracht Braunschweig. And he played the full 90 minutes. The fifth-division side put in a remarkable performance, but still just lost 1-0. “We made a good go of it and found some good openings, we even hit the bar once,” says Laabs. “We could be proud of the game.”
"Frankfurt are on another level"
Will the spirit of the Cup be revived against Eintracht Frankfurt? Ole Laabs can only grin: “Frankfurt are on another level. We just want to give a sound performance and show that we can also play football.” The anticipation is big when a Bundesliga side comes to town. The game is also taking place in Ole Laabs’ hometown. Bremer’s home ground does not fulfil the requirements for a big Cup match, so the game will be played at FC Oberneuland’s stadium. The Sportpark am Vinnenweg has a capacity of around 5,000. “I think it’s a nice stadium,” says Laabs. “Everything is quite tight. When there are 3000-4000 spectators in there, it is a small inferno.”
Ole Laabs enjoyed a good training in football. Like many other players for Bremer SV, he also progressed through the youth academy at SV Werder Bremen. He wore the green and white shirt at several age groups and admits, “of course I dreamt of playing professional football.” Some boys he grew up and trained with are now well-known first teamers, such as Aaron Hunt and Christian Schulz. Ola Laabs was not as fortunate: “the academy coach never really backed me so I left the club. When I arrived at men’s football and stagnated somewhat, I was realistic. I then preferred to concentrate on studying and my job.”
Twice Bremen-Liga champions, twice missed promotion
Ole Laabs is currently training to be a policeman and this had a nice side benefit. Last year he was able to take part in the European Police and Fire Games in the Czech Republic and even won the title. The level in police sport is higher than many think. “The national police team could be a strong contender in the Regionalliga,” thinks Laabs. “That also applies to some other nations.”
In recent seasons there have been fewer reasons for joy at Bremer SV in terms of the league. Although Klaus Gelsdorf’s team always dominate the Bremen-Liga, winning the league by eleven and eight points in 2013/14 and 2014/15 respectively, his team have failed to secure promotion to the Regionalliga both times. “One year ago we were clearly eliminated because we simply weren’t up to the right level,” explains Laabs. “But this time it was tight, so that’s why the disappointment was so big.”
Bremer SV want to attack again next season. The team from west Bremen, however, will have to do without their top striker, as Iman Bi-Ria has moved to SV Atlas Delmenhorst after scoring 149 goals in 115 appearances in the Bremen-Liga. “We’ve also got some new arrivals coming in,” says Laabs, remaining confident. Virtually the entire squad comes from Bremen or the surrounding area, because the club is not allowed to pay anything, so there are no signings from outside the region. The wage should solely be the sporting experience – such as the DFB Cup game against Eintracht Frankfurt.
