Bundesliga Fanatic Interview # 2

Here's the second part of the BLF interview with Gerry Wittmann:

An American in Neustrelitz Part 2

Pokal Semi's - Hansa Rostock

Facing adversity is the only way is the only way to become stronger, smarter, and better. It is the state in which man most easily becomes acquainted with himself.
-Paraphrased from John Wooden

I was pretty excited when we drew Hansa Rostock in the semi finals of our landespokal tournament. They are a 3rd division team, but will be promoted (aufstieg) into the 2nd Bundesliga next season. It's not often that you can put yourself up against a decent opponent. I have found in the past that every time I have met such an opportunity with an honest effort, I have been pushed to a new level and have learned a little more about myself.

The difference between our teams was not much on the day. We ended up losing the match in the final 7 minutes, but we had our chances to win. Despite the loss, I believe it was one of my best performances of the season. I gave what I had, and enjoyed the experience.

Archived Quote - Good vs Great

"Good is the enemy of the great."

- Jim Collins

Bundesliga Fanatic Interview

Here's an interview I just did with Gerry Wittmann from Bundesliga Fanatic:

An American in Neustrelitz Part 1

Spieltag 25.

It's never easy to play against a team three times in one season. So, our game against Malchower SV was probably our worst team performance of the season, even though we already won the 1st two match ups.

We were down by a goal with 5 minutes to go, and Malchow were feeling pretty good about themselves. Then we scored in the 89th and I got a goal in injury time. We had two opportunities, and converted them both. And Malchow has a long bus ride home. Such is the game.


After I scored, I wanted to give a little love to the teammate who set me up. But I got caught between a hug and picking him up and this was the result:


Pretty damn awkward, I know. But still nowhere near this one.

Landespokal

Here are some pictures from our win against Malchower SV 90 in the quarter finals of the Landespokal.*



*The Landespokal is a tournament in which nearly all teams from our state (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) compete against one another. The winner gets an automatic bid to the DFB Pokal (National tournament) for next season. Winning the Landespokal is always a big deal because of the money and exposure the club receives for a David vs. Goliath matchup in the DFB Pokal.

Archived Quote - Keep Fighting

Posterized

The game-winning goal in a 2-1 win over Union Berlin II.

Archived Quote - Pure Heart

The pure heart is one that hides nothing.

-Matthew

This guy's a hero. Who want's to have dinner in Neustrelitz?

Ein Derby der tollen Sorte

Here's a poorly translated excerpt from the local press:

A Derby of the greatest sort: TSG comesback with passion

Torgelow. Five goals, bred battles, dramatic situations - this is the heart of football, what more do you want? The derby between football Oberliga Torgelower SV Grief and TSG Neustrelitz looked on by 452 enthusiastic spectators. At the end of a never boring game the guests from Neustrelitz overcame a 2 goal deficit to win 3-2 (1-2 at halftime). The onslaught from Mark Zschiesche penalty spot (18th) and Clemens Lange (20) lasted only several minutes before Kyle Kaveny (22), Sascha Schrödter (58th) and Aymen Ben-Hatira (80) brought the success of the residential towns back to Neustrelitz.

"Man of the game" but could have played a very different roll: Kyle Kaveny. The Californian scored the first goal, although he was no longer allowed on the pitch. After his unfair yellow card, he was rude once again in the midfield against the opponent. In the following commotion, the referee lost overview, and Kaveny's 2nd yellow was given to teammate Norman Richter. A crazy Derby! "I was lucky," said the American, who escaped a red card just by a hair. Striker, Daniel Pankau: "Who knows, if Neustrelitz had played down a man for 70 minutes, maybe the game would have turned out different."

Whether they like it or not: The game went eleven against eleven. Kaveny made the first goal and brought his team back into the game. "We made two more goals in the second half to achieve a win and, above all, better play," said TSG coach Rastislav Hodul. Two goals were the reward for a lot of passion.


Artikel vom 21.02.2011
Nordkurier.de

Ratatat

Sometimes YouTube blocks me from watching videos over here due to copyright concerns. I am just glad that this one worked.

Bad Taste Party

A Monkey's Uncle

Big up to my older brother, Brock. What up to my little nephew, Greyson.

Superbowl Monday

I have to admit, sometimes I won't watch a single NFL game in a given year. But the allure of going great lengths with friends to watch the finals was too great.

Kickoff: Monday, 12 a.m. midnight.
Location: Berlin

It must be the socks.

Today we got fitted for socks. Pretty exciting, right? Actually, yes. The socks are VenoTrain sport socks made by the German company, Bauerfeind. According to the manufacturer, the socks increase blood flow in the legs and consequently reduce recovery time.


The socks are so badass that they gave us hand shoes (handschuhe = gloves) just to put them on.


Maybe they're a bit of a hassle, but they'll come in handy when we have to sit on a bus for 2 hours to play an away game.

Archived Quote - Shakespeare

Love all, trust a few, Do wrong to none.

William Shakespeare, All's Well That Ends Well.

Back to the Show

After scoring a goal in a friendly. Thanks Dad, for finding the picture.

I have a solid B/B+ game. It got me through college soccer, and it has taken me this far. It's a safe game, but I wouldn't say it's easy to play. It's not a flashy game, but over the course of a season you would come to respect its consistency. It's a game without risks and, consequently, without rewards.

This is the game I play, but I wouldn't say it's my game. What is my game then? Well, that's something I'm still learning. The only thing I do know is that there's more inside of me than that B/B+ game. I believe that if a person is able to play whole-heartedly, without any reservations, than their character is shown on the field. Over the next 4 and a half months I plan to let people start seeing my game, and hopefully my character as well. Otherwise, what's the point, right?

Trainingslager - "Training Camp"

Before an indoor training session in Berlin

Training camp for the 2nd half of the season has begun. Over the next 4 weeks we will have 2-a-day trainings and 1-2 friendlies (non-league matches) a week.