Firsts, premieres and debuts – even Germany internationals and World Champions started small. How? Where? When Why? Their first coach, their first position, their first goal, their first title – every day over the next week or so, a DFB-Team player will name their top ten personal firsts here on DFB.de. Today is the turn of Gladbach striker Max Kruse.
My first kit: My parents gave me my first kit when I still just a young boy. I can’t remember exactly what it was anymore but I’m relatively sure it was a HSV kit with Roy Präger’s name on it. I was always wearing that shirt, whether I was just having a kickabout or going to the stadium to watch HSV.
My first club: It was TSV Reinbek. My parents registered me at that club when I was four. We lived close by so it was convenient..
My first coach: The first coach that I can remember was Thorsten Beyer. He was my coach at Reinbek and then later at SC Vier- und Marschlande too. He was a very good and meticulous coach and went on to work with HSV and St. Pauli youth sides after his spell at SC. That was something new for a club so small.
My first game: It wasn’t my first game but it’s a very early game that still have fond memories of. We won 21-0 with Marschlande. I’m not sure of the opponents anymore but I’m sure that I scored 15 goals that day.
My first position: I’m a striker today but that wasn’t always the case. I always played up top, mostly in midfield. Often in the no.10 role. One thing’s for sure: I was never a defender.
My first role model: Roy Präger, no doubt. I often went to HSV home games at the time and he was one of the main players that the HSV fans could relate to, apart from being a good player. He had an great right foot – his free kicks were brilliant. I really liked his style of play and I based my game on him too.
My first trip to a stadium: It was definitely HSV. One of my first games was the legendary 4-4 draw against Juventus. It was an unforgettable experience for everyone that was there.
Firsts, premieres and debuts – even Germany internationals and World Champions started small. How? Where? When Why? Their first coach, their first position, their first goal, their first title – every day over the next week or so, a DFB-Team player will name their top ten personal firsts here on DFB.de. Today is the turn of Gladbach striker Max Kruse.
My first kit: My parents gave me my first kit when I still just a young boy. I can’t remember exactly what it was anymore but I’m relatively sure it was a HSV kit with Roy Präger’s name on it. I was always wearing that shirt, whether I was just having a kickabout or going to the stadium to watch HSV.
My first club: It was TSV Reinbek. My parents registered me at that club when I was four. We lived close by so it was convenient..
My first coach: The first coach that I can remember was Thorsten Beyer. He was my coach at Reinbek and then later at SC Vier- und Marschlande too. He was a very good and meticulous coach and went on to work with HSV and St. Pauli youth sides after his spell at SC. That was something new for a club so small.
My first game: It wasn’t my first game but it’s a very early game that still have fond memories of. We won 21-0 with Marschlande. I’m not sure of the opponents anymore but I’m sure that I scored 15 goals that day.
My first position: I’m a striker today but that wasn’t always the case. I always played up top, mostly in midfield. Often in the no.10 role. One thing’s for sure: I was never a defender.
My first role model: Roy Präger, no doubt. I often went to HSV home games at the time and he was one of the main players that the HSV fans could relate to, apart from being a good player. He had an great right foot – his free kicks were brilliant. I really liked his style of play and I based my game on him too.
My first trip to a stadium: It was definitely HSV. One of my first games was the legendary 4-4 draw against Juventus. It was an unforgettable experience for everyone that was there.
My first Bundesliga game: It was for Werder Bremen in the 2007/08 campaign. Thomas Schaaf brought me on in the 63rd minute when we were 5-1 up. The game was great. We won 8-1 and I even assisted a goal. It was a very emotional moment; my dad was in the stands and the whole experience was very moving.
My first professional goal: It was for St. Pauli against Hoffenheim in 2011. I scored with my right foot to make it 1-1. The game ended 2-2.
My first international: It was during the USA tour in 2013 against Ecuador in Miami. The trip opened the door to the national side for me. I was already 25, relatively old to be making my debut for Germany. I was happy to be there. The goal in the following game against USA was the icing on the cake.
