1. FC Rielasingen-Arlen couldn’t be happier: Former Germany international Sebastian Kehl picked out the sixth-tier Baden-Württemberg side to face BVB in the first round of the DFB-Pokal (11th-14th August). DFB.de spoke with Rielasingen’s captain Tobias Bertsch, who is on holiday in Tuscany. The 24-year-old comments on their chances against the defending champions, and explains his phone was buzzing non-stop yesterday evening.
DFB.de: Mr. Bertsch, what are your thoughts on the draw against BVB?
Tobias Bertsch: It’s unbelievable, a total dream. We all wanted to play against a Bundesliga side, but I’m speechless to have been drawn against the defending champions. It’ll be the best moment of our careers.
DFB.de: What was your reaction to the draw?
Bertsch: I’m currently with a few mates on holiday in Tuscany. We’ve got an apartment and luckily it showed German TV, so logically I watched the draw on TV. The tension was ratcheted up each and every time our name wasn’t called.
DFB.de: And then came BVB.
Bertsch: My phone was blowing up at the time. The team have a collective WhatsApp group, so you can imagine the reaction as the news broke. The joy we all felt is indescribable.
DFB.de: Have you discussed your chances in this chat?
Bertsch: No. We’re looking forward to such a massive event, but at the same time we know that we have no chance against a heavyweight like them. We’re in the sixth tier of football and are coming up against one of Germany’s best football teams, so we have to be realistic. It’s like when Germany play San Marino, but even if we concede 13 or 15 times, we’ll just enjoy being there. It’s a big surprise to have even qualified for the DFB-Pokal.
DFB.de: Especially after a 6-1 win in the amateur level final against VfR Hausen.
Bertsch: It was a long and arduous task for us, but the final made it all worthwhile. I think it’s great that amateurs like us can earn the opportunity to perform on such a massive stage. Being on live television will feel as though we’re professionals, and the DFB-Pokal is a step above.
DFB.de: Where will the game against Dortmund be taking place?
Bertsch: I’m not quite sure, but it doesn’t matter where we play – the stadium will be full regardless – of that I am sure. Even if we travelled to Freiburg, there wouldn’t be an empty seat in the house.
DFB.de: Although you’re still on holiday, how excited are you to get back?
Bertsch: I’m pleased we’ve got three weeks off for the moment. It was a tough season and it’s good to just kick your feet up for a bit, because there’s hardly any time to do so when there’s football going on. As things stand I’ll probably remain in Tuscany until Wednesday, and then I’ve still got some time off until we get things back underway at the start of July. At that point, our batteries will be recharged and we’ll be able to give our all.
DFB.de: Your first game of the season will be against BVB.
Bertsch: Regardless of the outcome, we have to take momentum into the season. Our main aim is to be promoted into the Oberliga. The game against BVB will be a great story, but the team can’t lose their heads. The league remains our priority.
DFB.de: What are your chances of being promoted?
Bertsch: I’m confident. We had a tough start last season and spent a long time fighting to avoid relegation, but towards the end we went on a run and managed to finish sixth. The squad has been strengthened for next season, and if we bring our A-game from the outset in Constance, then it’ll work out. We really want to make the jump up into the Oberliga – we definitely have the quality to make it happen.
created by sw
1. FC Rielasingen-Arlen couldn’t be happier: Former Germany international Sebastian Kehl picked out the sixth-tier Baden-Württemberg side to face BVB in the first round of the DFB-Pokal (11th-14th August). DFB.de spoke with Rielasingen’s captain Tobias Bertsch, who is on holiday in Tuscany. The 24-year-old comments on their chances against the defending champions, and explains his phone was buzzing non-stop yesterday evening.
DFB.de: Mr. Bertsch, what are your thoughts on the draw against BVB?
Tobias Bertsch: It’s unbelievable, a total dream. We all wanted to play against a Bundesliga side, but I’m speechless to have been drawn against the defending champions. It’ll be the best moment of our careers.
DFB.de: What was your reaction to the draw?
Bertsch: I’m currently with a few mates on holiday in Tuscany. We’ve got an apartment and luckily it showed German TV, so logically I watched the draw on TV. The tension was ratcheted up each and every time our name wasn’t called.
DFB.de: And then came BVB.
Bertsch: My phone was blowing up at the time. The team have a collective WhatsApp group, so you can imagine the reaction as the news broke. The joy we all felt is indescribable.
DFB.de: Have you discussed your chances in this chat?
Bertsch: No. We’re looking forward to such a massive event, but at the same time we know that we have no chance against a heavyweight like them. We’re in the sixth tier of football and are coming up against one of Germany’s best football teams, so we have to be realistic. It’s like when Germany play San Marino, but even if we concede 13 or 15 times, we’ll just enjoy being there. It’s a big surprise to have even qualified for the DFB-Pokal.
DFB.de: Especially after a 6-1 win in the amateur level final against VfR Hausen.
Bertsch: It was a long and arduous task for us, but the final made it all worthwhile. I think it’s great that amateurs like us can earn the opportunity to perform on such a massive stage. Being on live television will feel as though we’re professionals, and the DFB-Pokal is a step above.
DFB.de: Where will the game against Dortmund be taking place?
Bertsch: I’m not quite sure, but it doesn’t matter where we play – the stadium will be full regardless – of that I am sure. Even if we travelled to Freiburg, there wouldn’t be an empty seat in the house.
DFB.de: Although you’re still on holiday, how excited are you to get back?
Bertsch: I’m pleased we’ve got three weeks off for the moment. It was a tough season and it’s good to just kick your feet up for a bit, because there’s hardly any time to do so when there’s football going on. As things stand I’ll probably remain in Tuscany until Wednesday, and then I’ve still got some time off until we get things back underway at the start of July. At that point, our batteries will be recharged and we’ll be able to give our all.
DFB.de: Your first game of the season will be against BVB.
Bertsch: Regardless of the outcome, we have to take momentum into the season. Our main aim is to be promoted into the Oberliga. The game against BVB will be a great story, but the team can’t lose their heads. The league remains our priority.
DFB.de: What are your chances of being promoted?
Bertsch: I’m confident. We had a tough start last season and spent a long time fighting to avoid relegation, but towards the end we went on a run and managed to finish sixth. The squad has been strengthened for next season, and if we bring our A-game from the outset in Constance, then it’ll work out. We really want to make the jump up into the Oberliga – we definitely have the quality to make it happen.
