Florian Weissert made a decisive factor in the late summer of 1991 that Hansa Rostock as one of two qualified DDR clubs (next to Dynamo Dresden) adopted a dream start into the entire German Bundesliga. The altitude flight did not stop: in May 1992, Hansa rose, while Dresden held the class - and also softened, because he moved to Hamburger SV, in the year afterwards to Bundesliga upsters VfB Leipzig and 1994/95 to Dresden. Neither the VFB nor with Dynamo he could hold the class.
Mr. Weichert, Which thought shoots them first through the head when they think about 3 August 1991?
I have entered the appointment someday in my calendar so I do not forget him. The game against Nuremberg was one for Hansa one, which one has understood from history much later. The championship in the GDR Oberliga, the qualification for the Bundesliga and the first game happened in a short period of time. We had a respect for Nuremberg before the prelude against Nuremberg, but also courage. We wanted to show that we belong to the Bundesliga, and so we have also occurred.
Do you remember your two hits?
Absolutely. I do not forget that. I still know how Stefan Böger could prevail in front of the 1-0 over the right with an inimitable sprint, the flank came inside and I just had the chance to run on the short post. My opponent was so close to me, that I only headed for the ball with the feet and promoted him to the gate with the sole. And at the 2: 0 I shot the ball from Halblink's Andreas Köpke the ball.
We had no idea where we are in the end.
Florian Weichert
Were you surprised how good Hansa could keep up? Or vice versa, how bad Nuremberg was?
We realized how well it is going to be brave. We all were not a bad footballer. Of course we had respect in front of the Bundesliga because we knew only from hearing. If you as Ossi come to a league in a country that has become world champion in the year earlier, you do not know your level. We had no idea where we are in the end.
How was the feeling according to the clear 4: 0 victory, with which Hansa put himself to the top of the Bundesliga table?
Almost a little surreal. But we knew: The next weekend is the Bayern, we have to deliver such a performance now always, otherwise we will probably not work.
They were switched to the ZDF sports studio after the game ...
... because you could not organize a helicopter and it was not possible to create the time from the gaming to the broadcast of Rostock to Mainz.
You have surprised your teammates with unimaginated eloquence. Why were you suddenly to the chatting bag?
I do not know. Maybe it was always in me, and my north German restraint has a bit hidden (smiles). It might have to do with the euphoria. And it has shown that the eloquence was not hindering for my other life. I have become a television journalist.
On the 4-0 against Nuremberg followed a 2: 1 for Bayern and a 5: 1 against Borussia Dortmund. In between, did you think that it simply goes on for Hansa, as in the last season of the GDR Oberliga, and the team can play in front?
I can not remember that exactly anymore. But I know that Uwe Reinders has always brought us to the ground of the facts. He said: Let's use the euphoria, but it will be a very hard season. And in the end he unfortunately had God's right. But the 5: 1 against Dortmund in a first full of the Baltic Sea Stadium was the madness. Suddenly we were true in Rostock. Against Nuremberg, the stadium had not been full, and now all understood: the Bundesliga is in front of the doorstep.
After the great start Hansa was on everyone's lips. How did you deal with the hype?
We had not only a good coach in Uwe Reinders, but a good teacher in terms of external representation. He was very suspicious of the journalists, and that led to us in the team that we did not gone blue-eyed in every interview. After the victory at Bavaria, however, Uwe has left Rolf Töpperwien from ZDF into the cabin, since he was a bit deviated from the line. Even if the media hype was not comparable with today: For us it was already a change. Previously, once a week came by a local journalist, suddenly several journalists stood in front of the cabins after training, and they read their quotes the next day in the newspaper. It was not easy to get along.
Suddenly all players had pick up other cars
Florian Weichert
What was still significant differently than Bundesliga players compared to the GDR Oberliga?
Not so much. But suddenly all players had pick up other cars, and there were detergents or foods that were otherwise only seen traveling to the West, in front of the doorstep. And the D-Mark was there. I remember how funny it was for me to spend her because she previously was a currency that was only spent in the intershop or for very important things - if you had foreign currency. And now I should suddenly buy rolls or milk for the D-Mark. But she now came to the account regularly, you did not have to wait for the west until the next trip. In addition, it was new that we suddenly had temporary license players. The circumstances were different, the game is not so much.
The last GDR top leaves - what are you doing today?
How did you experience the reaction of the opponents? Respect for your performance or a low estimation according to the motto: We are the World Champion League, the Ossis come, which just had luck?
That one underestimated us could not derive from comments or gestures. That would be a submission. But it is to be suspected because on the other side, for example at Bayern or Borussia Dortmund, the better footballers. If you look at the game at Bayern about: They had ten clear scoring chances, which could have been shooting. We really have everything cleaned up. I remember a scene in which a shot was blocked after the other. On the other hand we were ice cold in front of the gate and even had a slatted goal. Again against Dortmund it was so that we did the gates at the right time.
Between the league games, there was the finest duels in the European Cup of the national master with FC Barcelona. Hansa defeated 0: 3 in the first leg and then won at home 1: 0. Was more in it as this attention success?
I remember well because I'm doing a report on these games for the North German broadcasting. We had almost no chance in Barcelona, the result was like a perceived K. O., but Uwe Reinders said in front of the second leg: Let's shoot a goal in the first half, and then we look like you react. We had nothing to lose in the second leg and have gone in the game too. Barça was good at the back and many said: They did not do it when they had to. There's something going on, but we went to lead through Michael Spies and have had to get a clear penalty. If the 2: 0 falls, and it was still a quarter of an hour to play, if Barça could have grazed. But Ultimately, Barcelona has earned. For Hansa this was a centuries game. Sad only that only 8500 spectators came.
Why?
The entrance fees had doubled against the Bundesliga. That was a decision of the Bureau to make the right place again. 24 hours before the game you have halved the prices again, but it just came 8500.
Have the barça-stars outrage showed or were you normal?
In Barcelona you already had the feeling that you live your hero status. After the motto: We are the cool, we are the big ones. Everything was normal in Rostock. At the kick-off circle I had a short small talk with Hristo Stoichkov over the ball and the lawn. And we briefly recreated the ball. After the game, I happened to meet Ronald Koeman before the VIP room. He asked me if I could give him a German beer because he did not come to the VIP room. I then got two beer, and we drank with each other. I remember this situation, Ronald probably forgot you (laughs).
He asked me if I could put him out a German beer
Florian Weissert About Ronald Koeman
The 1991/92 season also belongs that it was constantly trouble between President Gerd Kische and Reinders until the coach was finally released in March 1992. How much have the quarrels annoyed the team? And the players had a chance to convey in the quarrel?
Of course the dispute has annoyed. The first quarrels were already after 2: 1 on the 2nd match day in Munich. They then pulled themselves until the winter break. Before the second leg against Bayern, which we have also won, Reinders should be sawn, but you still have to make him winter preparation. I do not want to be considered an excuse, but from the footballing quality we would have to hold the class. But the twist has split the team. This has led to unfortunately we have not remained unity and have risen.
In February 1992, it was also publicly that they have worked as well as their teammates Stefan Persigehl and Gernot Alms as in the state security. What does that mean for the relationship with your colleagues and the Hansa fans?
A stress factor was not that, it was eaten relatively quickly. At Dynamo Dresden, it started with the publications about Stasi's activities of players, and then you have asked in Rostock. Before the newspapers have published this, Uwe Reinders has taken the clarification in the hands and said: Who was there, please report. I then drove to Pureders with my wife and communicated it to him. Then we got together with the team and discussed: Is this a topic that influences the team? Is there anyone who does not want to play with the three players? Should we exclude the three? The team then pronounced that Stefan, Gernot and I stay in the team. And after the home game against VfB Stuttgart (2: 0 victory on February 8, 1992, d. Red.) It was also clarified for the fans.
In addition, there was in the spring of 1992 for you personally another reason to trouble. They were mad at Hansa Vice President Fritz Weber, because the interna should have succeeded in their contract negotiations. The beginning of your end in Rostock?
My new consultant Norbert Pflippen only said: You also have other options when they are on it. I have already contacted Hamburg SV - and also with Uli Hoeneß, who wanted to come to FC Bayern. In the end, Gerd Kische submitted a contract with which I could live well and I signed. Although this was only for the 1st League, but the HSV and Bavaria were finished. My goal was to continue playing Bundesliga with Hansa.
Did you take it seriously when Uli Hoeneß has reported to you? Or did you think someone verhert you?
At the first call, I was not there, which my wife answered. I took that seriously when we finally talked to each other. When we had risen, the topic has become more intense again. My consideration was nice to go to HSV. There a new team should be built up there. The thing with Bayern has failed to give me only one amateur contract. Shortly before signing in Hamburg there was already an offer from Borussia Dortmund. The then manager Michael Meier called for me on the car phone, but I was already on the way to Hamburg.
"Suddenly it was clear: we did not make it. That was very bitter
Florian Weichert
On the 38th matchday, Hansa had virtue as good as well, but Frankfurt has mapped the championship with a 2-1 win. How did you experience this dramatic 16 May 1992?
We knew that we had to win after we had lost a week before by a distance gate just before 0: 1 and were in the situation to rely on other clubs to not descend. But we also knew what strength we could develop, and did not want to celebrate Frankfurt in our stadium in the event of a descent. We have everything out in this game, and for the Eintracht it was dramatically with the not given penalty, through which she would have gained and mastered. So we won and believed all, we would have held the league. But suddenly it was clear: we did not make it. That was very bitter.
Then it came to frustration?
I do not know it anymore. I think we had another meeting. What I remember, however, is that I went to the cab after my replacement (in the 74th minute, d. Red.) And there Jörg Pilawa from Radio Schleswig-Holstein saw. We knew each other, and he was completely browned because he forgot the cassette for his recording device. So he could not record O-sounds. I then only went to my car with the towel around the hips and gave him an old tape cassette. So he could do his O-sounds. Jörg was infinitely thankful for me.
After the descent, they changed to HSV. The right decision?
Yes. Even if it has not run so well for me. I forgive a huge chance in the first season game against Stuttgart, otherwise we would have won. I had changed the shoes shortly before the game and I just stayed in the lawn. There are such key scenes that decide on probably or woe of a player in a new club. I missed the looseness from my first Bundesliga year with Hansa.
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