It has been a long awaited return. For the first time in 40 years, Bonner SC have qualified for the DFB-Pokal. Until now, the club’s only cup venture was in the 1977/78 season where the Verbandsliga side were knocked out in the third round by Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Four centuries on, BSC face newly-promoted Hannover 96 in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on Sunday, 13th August at 15:30 CEST. “We wanted a Bundesliga side and we’ve got one,” said a satisfied Daniel Zillken, the head coach of Bonner SC. Club president, Dirk Mazurkiewicz, is also looking forward to the task ahead: “We want to be a good host for a Bundesliga side steeped in tradition and we will be. I am optimistic that there will be a party-like atmosphere in Bonn come matchday.”
Hannover 96 sporting director Heldt’s homecoming
BSC ensured their entrance into this year’s DFB-Pokal on the final day of the season by claiming the Mittelrheinpokal. At their home ground, the ‘Rheinland Lions’ defeated third-division favourites Fortuna Köln 1-0 in front of over 6,600 supporters.
For Hannover’s sporting director, Horst Heldt, Bonner SC are in no way unknown opposition. “It’s the exact club I’d hoped for. When I was younger, I played against Bonner SC many times. I was already excited to see them qualify for the DFB-Pokal. I’m even happier now that we’re facing one another.” Heldt, a former Germany international, grew up only a few miles south of Bonn in the city of Königswinter. In his youth, Heldt learnt his footballing trade at FV Bad Honnef before he moved to 1. FC Köln. Now he’s returning to the Rhine with Hannover.
It has been a long awaited return. For the first time in 40 years, Bonner SC have qualified for the DFB-Pokal. Until now, the club’s only cup venture was in the 1977/78 season where the Verbandsliga side were knocked out in the third round by Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Four centuries on, BSC face newly-promoted Hannover 96 in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on Sunday, 13th August at 15:30 CEST. “We wanted a Bundesliga side and we’ve got one,” said a satisfied Daniel Zillken, the head coach of Bonner SC. Club president, Dirk Mazurkiewicz, is also looking forward to the task ahead: “We want to be a good host for a Bundesliga side steeped in tradition and we will be. I am optimistic that there will be a party-like atmosphere in Bonn come matchday.”
Hannover 96 sporting director Heldt’s homecoming
BSC ensured their entrance into this year’s DFB-Pokal on the final day of the season by claiming the Mittelrheinpokal. At their home ground, the ‘Rheinland Lions’ defeated third-division favourites Fortuna Köln 1-0 in front of over 6,600 supporters.
For Hannover’s sporting director, Horst Heldt, Bonner SC are in no way unknown opposition. “It’s the exact club I’d hoped for. When I was younger, I played against Bonner SC many times. I was already excited to see them qualify for the DFB-Pokal. I’m even happier now that we’re facing one another.” Heldt, a former Germany international, grew up only a few miles south of Bonn in the city of Königswinter. In his youth, Heldt learnt his footballing trade at FV Bad Honnef before he moved to 1. FC Köln. Now he’s returning to the Rhine with Hannover.
