In 2021 Tasmania Berlin became relevant to the football world again. It was nothing they were doing on the pitch, it was what was happening at Schalke. Going on a bad run of 30 matches without a win, the worst ever Bundesliga record was at risk of being broken. This history keeps Tasmania Berlin relevant and we have long wanted a visit to Tasmania Berlin.
The Record
The team from Gelsenkirchen didn’t want the record and Tasmania Berlin didn’t wasn’t to relinquish their title either. Why? Because it keeps them in the history books, they will continue to be spoken about and I truly love this attitude.
Matthew Hoppe’s unlikely hattrick for Schalke versus Hoffenheim in what would have been a record-equalling 31st match without a win, meant that the title of Worst Ever Bundesliga Team would remain with Tasmania.
Tasmania Berlin History
How on earth did Tasmania Berlin reach The Bundesliga? It was with little notice, just three weeks before the start of the 1965/66 season Hertha Berlin were relegated due to financial reasons and the powers demanded they were replaced by a team from Berlin. Amateur players on their vacations were told to return to Berlin with just over 14 days to prepare for a shock Bundesliga appearance.
Playing in the Olympiastadion, their first match brought in over 80,000 fans however crowd numbers tumbled when playing at their own ground Werner-Seelenbinder-Sportpark with just hundreds in attendance.
Visiting Tasmania Berlin
Would a visit to Tasmania Berlin have still been on our radar if it were not for the record? Yes, as we want to experience every club in Berlin. However for others, ticking off clubs with these records will surely be part of their decision making.
The match was scheduled for Sunday 27th August at 1.30pm local time and whilst there had been consideration to attend a match at a larger stadium, we kept to the plan of visiting Tasmania.
Inside the Stadium
On arrival at the Stadium we paid just 10 Euro’s for an adult ticket. Food and drink were available a good half hour before kick-off with Bratwurst being served outside and beer available from the club bar where you could also purchase club memorabilia including shirts, scarves, hats and stickers.
We were pleased that the beer was also served in a Tasmania Berlin themed, sturdy cup! Very rare at low level league clubs and we were happy to lose our deposit in order to take them back home.
The ground was red, white and blue all over. The club colours drip through to the two seating areas as well as random benches scattered around the venue.
Ahead of the match, the team sheet was available to collect too which was a great touch and made it easy to identify the players who we didn’t know before arriving.
The fans in the home end were really getting behind their team. The Tas Maniacs had the flag, one sporting a Kutte and they brought along their own music system to get things going.
The Match
It was the visitors who opened the scoring when their captain, number 7, Paul Lochmann scored. It was almost 2-0 a short while later however terrific goalkeeping saw the ball pushed round the post.
It was the turn of Number 7 in a Tasmania Berlin jersey to try and find an equaliser but Bier fired over. However on 35 minutes Tasmania were indeed level when Zingu fired in at the back post.
Shortly after Niklas Wiebach met the ball at the back post but his header hit the side netting as the hosts pushed forward.
Number 94 Zingu of Tasmania Berlin
In the second half, Furstenwalde again took the lead when a looping effort deceived the goalkeeper however that lead lasted less than ten minutes when Rico Steinhauer scored following a header back across goal by Zingu. Substitutes were used and Tasmania Berlin will feel unfortunate that they didn’t go on to win the match having created many good chances towards the end.
Final Score: Tasmania Berlin 2 Furstenwalde 2
The final score
Watch a video of our matchday experience, including goal action, here.
Are you using Futbology yet?
If you are planning a trip to Germany, you can use the Futbology App to check which matches are in your area and on which dates. Whilst in Berlin we were able to check out the dozens of matches we could choose to attend, ultimately deciding on Tasmania Berlin.
Book your own German Mystery Football Weekend
Covert Football Trips offers a new method of watching across Europe – a Mystery weekend! We even have one package specifically for those wanting to experience Germany. Just select your weekend of travel and we do the rest, sending you to great matches whilst taking care of your flights, accommodation and match tickets. We are the original Mystery Football Weekends company and you can enjoy our personal recommendations too. Check out our packages here.
