The DFB Cup "Walk of Fame" at Berlin’s Olympiastadion will soon feature the footprints of Arjen Robben. The FC Bayern München winger is the first non-retired player to be commemorated at the memorial. Volkswagen, official partner of the DFB Cup, and the German FA (DFB) created the "Walk of Fame" together to honour the sporting heroes of the competition’s 80-year history.
A public poll amongst football fans saw Robben claim nearly 60% of all votes. Receiving the accolade as the cup hero of the 2013/14 season was surely not least due to his contribution in the final, when his goal against Borussia Dortmund paved the way for FC Bayern's 2-0 extra-time victory at the Olympiastadion. Aside from those heroics, the DFB Cup has been a rather special competition for the 30-year-old. Since joining Bayern in 2009, he has won the trophy three times, scoring 14 goals and providing ten assists in 18 matches.
Robben: "It's a huge honour"
Robben was overwhelmed by his induction onto the "Walk of Fame": "This is a huge honour for me. It's great that something will commemorate me even after my playing career," he said whilst getting his footprints cast in Munich. He especially pointed out how strongly he feels about those finals in Berlin. "That's what every footballer wants to experience. It's a huge event with a unique atmosphere. It's why you play football. And if you mange to get a win on top of that, it's the best feeling!" The finished bronze plate with Robben's footprints and signature will be installed at the stadium in November.
The DFB Cup "Walk of Fame" honours the biggest cup heroes (past and present) using their footprints or - applying to keepers and coaches - their handprints. To date, 15 people have been inducted. The task of voting for the first cup heroes on the "Walk of Fame" fell to the football fans after a jury of experts, including coach Thomas Schaaf, had created a shortlist of candidates. Among those honoured are popular stars like Günter Netzer, Klaus Allofs and Norbert Dickel, but the elite club also includes amateur players like Roland Stein, who scored the winning goal for TSV Vestenbergsgreuth in 1994/95 when the lower-league club created a major upset by ousting FC Bayern München, as well as Rudi Thömmes, whose goals allowed Eintracht Trier to celebrate back-to-back victories over European Cup winners FC Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund in 1997/98.
Two new heroes every year
Since the 2013/14 season, two new cup heroes have been inducted each year: One player who has made an impression in the history of the DFB Cup, as well as the most outstanding player of the latest campaign.
Next to the "Walk of Fame" there is also the "Wall of Fame": On a wall stretching for over 40 meters, you can find all DFB Cup finals through the years, including the results and team emblems. Unveiled by Günter Netzer and Norbert Dickel at Berlin’s Olympiastadion on 16th May 2014, the site has become somewhat of a pilgrimage destination for fans, as it gives them the opportunity to remember some of the most glorious moments and emotions that the DFB Cup has had to offer.
