“There has been a ghostly atmosphere in the stadiums of the Bundesliga in recent weeks. The instructions of the coaches could be heard via the outside microphones and the cheering calls of the players could be heard clearly among themselves. Nothing else. The ghost games after the Corona break made the football shrink to its minimum. Except for the players, coaches and a few officials, no one was allowed in the arenas. The fans had to stay outside.
So of course also in the relegation between Werder Bremen and 1. FC Heidenheim. After the 0-0 draw in the first leg, Werder is fighting for class preservation on Monday night, Heidenheim for the first Bundesliga promotion in the club’s history.
Although the all-important game is also a ghost game, the 22 players on the turf are permanently sonicated. Not only them, but also the viewers who watch the game live on DAZN and Amazon Prime Video on the Internet.
In the gallery sits a Heidenheimer, armed with a pan and a truncheon with which he constantly hits the kitchen utensil. Incessantly, the man with the black cooking jacket strikes the same rhythm. At the end of it, fans would traditionally have to shout “Heidenheim”. But there are none in the stadium. This doesn’t seem to bother the drummer, then it just starts over. Again and again. The man is still supported by a woman who is also armed with a silver pan.
Also much to the chagrin of DAZN co-commentator Ralph Gunesch. “Everything is regulated in the Bundesliga. How big the banners must be for the away blocks and much more. I’m sure there’s a pass next season that bans kitchen appliances in the stadium,” Gunesch said.
On Twitter, the frying pan fan quickly made the rounds. Many called for an international stadium ban for him with a wink.
DAZN commentator Uli Hebel sums it up: “There are things I’m not sad about when this game is over.”
