One hundred and twenty-five years of Eintracht Frankfurt. If that is not a reason to celebrate. They rented the entire Alte Oper in order to celebrate this event on a grand scale. The makers from the heart of Europe and the Riederwald called it a spring reception. It was more. It was a lavish evening, a homage to a club that enjoys the greatest appreciation in Frankfurt’s urban society and far beyond. This could be seen and heard by the illustrious group of speakers who did not miss the opportunity to congratulate on this very special anniversary. And they all came. The leaders of the DFB, DFL, country, city, economy, culture.
Celebrate and be celebrated – you can do that at Eintracht. They have already done this in everyday sporting life with their receptions around exciting European Cup nights in Barcelona, Helsinki, Lisbon and Seville. And of course also in Berlin, when Bayern were defeated in the cup final and the tanker Eintracht Frankfurt was gaining momentum. “That was the upheaval, that was the departure,” said Karl-Heinz Körbel. “We then really got on track.” The “loyal” Charly was one of more than 1,000 invited guests at the Alte Oper. He did not hide his joy at belonging to this large family.
Mike Josef is also proud to be the City of Concord. Frankfurt’s mayor clearly enjoyed being a popular man. When he stood on the stage of the Alte Oper and emphasized the value of unity, there was repeated applause. “Eintracht is the sporting figurehead and a real stroke of luck for the city and the region.” Sports friend Josef even went so far as to claim: “Eintracht Frankfurt is a global brand.”
Wide product range
There were always powerful, emotional films to be seen on the huge screen. Titles, goals, dreams – everything is there, everything is packaged cinematically. But it wasn’t just the football players who were honored in this way. After all, Eintracht Frankfurt is more, much more than just a look at the professional team, which has progressed more or less rapidly since the successful relegation in Nuremberg. Women can also play football excellently. They also recently made it to the Champions League.
Boris Rhein said that “the eagle on the chest stands for top-class sport”. But Hesse’s Prime Minister also didn’t forget to mention that 58 sports can be played under the Eintracht umbrella. A small potpourri of this diverse offering was also shown on film.
And of course many icons were also remembered. Heinz Ulzheimer, Ilse Bechthold, Willy Jaschek: Legends of Eintracht who did not play football, but were outstanding in other sporting and human terms. The former Interior Minister took a sporting approach to the fact that the Prime Minister was mistakenly introduced by TV presenter Laura Wontorra, who hosted the evening, as someone “who was also active in sports and domestic service.”
“Eintracht Frankfurt has an impact far beyond the city’s borders,” said the Frankfurt-born politician. “I find it touching how legends meet amateurs.” He was referring to the Eintracht campaign in the region, in which the traditional team led by Körbel fulfills great ambassadorial functions. “Unity stands for diversity, freedom and tolerance,” said the Prime Minister – and it was not the first time that evening that the socio-political work of Peter Fischer, who has now been appointed Honorary President, was honored.
“You are the locomotive”
Critical tones? None. Of course, Hans-Joachim Watzke, who spoke as spokesman for the German Football League (DFL), also came. “Eintracht Frankfurt is a great piece of the Bundesliga, a great club.” The guests clapped happily, Watzke looked through the Alte Oper – and said: “I am impressed by the fluidity and the ambience here. This is a really big sport.”
Watzke was also impressed by “the fact that Eintracht Frankfurt has already played against Real Madrid in a European final twice. There aren’t many clubs that have managed that.” In his speech after the DFL’s investor deal collapsed, Watzke also discussed the role of the supporters. “Both sides have rights,” he said. “The fans too.”
Axel Hellmann, Eintracht’s board spokesman, is a friend of the fans and has always advocated for the interests of paying customers throughout his career, especially in the standing room. Watzke paid special tribute to him: “Axel, you are the locomotive of the whole thing.”
A comment from Katharina Iskandar Published/Updated: Recommendations: 38 Marc Heinrich Published/Updated: Recommendations: 1 Katharina Iskandar Published/Updated: Recommendations: 12
The fact that on the day of the big celebration the Frankfurt police searched the apartments of several dozen people who were said to have taken part in the riots on November 25th last year before Eintracht’s Bundesliga game against VfB Stuttgart was not an issue at the Alte Oper . Nevertheless, it is one, because the police have suggested stadium bans for 36 of the 42 suspects. It was not possible to find out on Tuesday or Wednesday whether the club intended to implement this. In response to a request from the FAZ, Eintracht announced that it was currently verifying the situation and would like to comment on it as soon as possible.