The match against 1. FC Köln was always going to be a tight one this season with both teams vying for one of the top places in the Bundesliga table after eight games. A win for Hertha would leave the Old Lady in second place (Spitzenzweiter) just behind Bayern . . . for a day at least.
The scene was set at the Olympiastadion with over 60,000 fans in attendance on this cool autumnal day in Berlin.
The scene was set at the Olympiastadion with over 60,000 fans in attendance on this cool autumnal day in Berlin.
Before the game I at long last met up the guys from Hertha Ireland who had some badges to sell (see slideshow below). One of their badges with the tricolour emblazoned across its centre went straight on my old black Hertha jacket. I’m not sure if it was “nice” to speak about our similar views on the national tragedy that was the Brexit vote as its all pretty depressing but there was at least some solidarity there. Trying to explain it to a German standing with us proved near impossible beyond saying I don’t know, and imo they were idiots.
It was pretty busy going into the stadium for this top of the table clash with a pretty decent turnout from Köln. There was a massive queue outside the fan shop entrance as fans desperately tried (without success) to outdo my Hertha Ireland badges. The queues were quite impressive to see Valentin Stocker (also see slideshow) who was on autograph duty following his three match ban picked with the red card against Dortmund.
It was pretty busy going into the stadium for this top of the table clash with a pretty decent turnout from Köln. There was a massive queue outside the fan shop entrance as fans desperately tried (without success) to outdo my Hertha Ireland badges. The queues were quite impressive to see Valentin Stocker (also see slideshow) who was on autograph duty following his three match ban picked with the red card against Dortmund.
As you walk into the stadium towards your seat the size of the crowd could be felt in your bones. You can almost taste let alone feel the atmosphere of anticipation. The away fans put on a simple choreo but the stadium turned blue and white with scarves aloft whilst “Nur nach hause” was sung by the Hertha faithful.
As a bonus ex-Hertha player Marcelinho (2001-06) was in Berlin over the weekend and was being interviewed by the side of the pitch (see slideshow). For those that could remember his playing days in Berlin this was a real treat and he was warmly welcomed.
As a bonus ex-Hertha player Marcelinho (2001-06) was in Berlin over the weekend and was being interviewed by the side of the pitch (see slideshow). For those that could remember his playing days in Berlin this was a real treat and he was warmly welcomed.
As I have already said the game itself was always going to be a tight one and so it turned out to be although it didn’t start out that way. I had predicted a 2:1 finish but Hertha had 67% of the possession in the first half hour and after just thirteen minutes Weiser put in a cross from the right wing to pick out our captain Vedad Ibisevic who crashed the ball into the back of the net – cue leaping up into the air hands flung far above me screaming at the top of my voice!
There were other chances for the home team in the first half with one cracking shot from Marvin Plattenhardt forced a diving two handed save from Horn. The second half however saw a slightly different Köln side run out who clearly didn’t want Hertha to have it all their own way. A spell of pressure resulted in a not very pretty goal where the ball passed under Jarstein from a close range shot only to find Anthony Modeste who really couldn’t miss.
The game now was neatly poised, all square at 1:1 after 65 minutes. Three minutes later Dardai put on a third striker in the form of Julian Schieber who, six minutes later put a strong header across the Köln box to find Niklas Stark to headed it home to make it 2:1. I swear the tips of my fingers touched the roof as I jumped up . . .
Before the finish both Salomon Kalou and later our captain Vedad Ibisevic were subbed off and “The Vedator” received a deserved standing ovation from a grateful home crowd. The result left Hertha in second place in the table, behind Bayern on goal difference (for a very short while), and the best start of a season for the Old Lady since 1963 and the formation of the Bundesliga!
There were other chances for the home team in the first half with one cracking shot from Marvin Plattenhardt forced a diving two handed save from Horn. The second half however saw a slightly different Köln side run out who clearly didn’t want Hertha to have it all their own way. A spell of pressure resulted in a not very pretty goal where the ball passed under Jarstein from a close range shot only to find Anthony Modeste who really couldn’t miss.
The game now was neatly poised, all square at 1:1 after 65 minutes. Three minutes later Dardai put on a third striker in the form of Julian Schieber who, six minutes later put a strong header across the Köln box to find Niklas Stark to headed it home to make it 2:1. I swear the tips of my fingers touched the roof as I jumped up . . .
Before the finish both Salomon Kalou and later our captain Vedad Ibisevic were subbed off and “The Vedator” received a deserved standing ovation from a grateful home crowd. The result left Hertha in second place in the table, behind Bayern on goal difference (for a very short while), and the best start of a season for the Old Lady since 1963 and the formation of the Bundesliga!
The morning after . . .
On the following morning it was training as usual for the squad on a dull autumnal Sunday morning. Preparations already under way for the Pokal match against St Pauli in Hamburg in just two days time on the 25th.
On the following morning it was training as usual for the squad on a dull autumnal Sunday morning. Preparations already under way for the Pokal match against St Pauli in Hamburg in just two days time on the 25th.
 Vedad Ibisevic after training |  Pál Dárdai leaves the field |
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