Twente goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall stands in his goal in front of an XXL banner directed at FC Schalke 04. © ANP/Imago
FC Twente supports Schalke 04 in the difficult sporting situation in the 2nd league. An XXL banner hung in the stadium at the home game on Wednesday evening.
Gelsenkirchen/Enschede – FC Twente took a big step towards Champions League qualification on Wednesday evening (April 24th). The Dutch won 3-1 in their own stadium “De Grolsch Veste” (German: The Grolsch Fortress) against Almere City and with the victory consolidated third place in the Eredivisie table.
XXL banner for Schalke 04: Twente fans send a message to S04
The team led by former Schalke player Lars Unnerstall is now eight points ahead of fourth-placed AZ Alkmaar, who, however, have played one game less. There are still three match days to come. The first two places are no longer achievable for FC Twente (more on former S04 stars at RUHR24).
In the game against Almere City, it wasn’t just the successful team from Enschede that caused a stir. Behind one goal, FC Twente fans hung a blue and white XXL banner that ran almost the entire width of the stands. It contained a message to FC Schalke 04.
Twente message to the S04: “Schalke will never go down!”
“No matter what happens, your flags fly, Schalke will never go down!” was written on it. The fans of FC Twente are supporting the S04 during the difficult sporting times in the second division. During the game, the supporters also sang the song “Schalke and the FCT” several times.
There has been a friendship between FC Schalke 04 and FC Twente at fan and club level for many years. The S04 last met Enschede in a friendly in the summer of 2023 (2:2).
The banner of the Twente fans towards FC Schalke 04. © BSR Agency/Imago
Schalke 04 left behind: FC Twente before qualifying for the Champions League
While FC Twente was largely considered the weaker team in the 2010s, the Dutch have now overtaken the Royal Blues in terms of sport. While the Champions League anthem will most likely be played in Enschede in the 2024/25 season, the S04 will probably have to play in Elversberg or Ulm, among others.