Tiny Krieschow faces Mainz in historic Pokal clash
On Sunday, Mayence opened its season by travelling to the tiny village of Krieschow for a first‑round Coupe d’Allemagne (Pokal) tie on the modest pitch of VfB Krieschow, a club representing just 500 residents and the smallest community ever to take part in the competition.
A village of 500 hosts a Pokal match
Krieschow is a hamlet attached to the municipality of Kolkwitz in Brandenburg, situated 13 kilometres south‑east of Berlin and 13 kilometres from Cottbus. With only 500 inhabitants, it has become the smallest commune ever to feature in the Pokal, a distinction highlighted during the draw ceremony where Mayence officials likely consulted an IGN map to locate the club. The story is anything but ordinary in a competition that rarely showcases such tiny Poucets.
The German Cup begins at the round of 64, comprising 64 clubs: the 18 Bundesliga sides, the 18 2. Bundesliga teams, the four best from the previous 3. Liga season, and 24 regional cup winners from the amateur ranks. Krieschow, which plays in the fifth division, earned its place by defeating the local powerhouse Energie Cottbus 2‑1 in the Brandenburg regional cup final. This victory secured its historic entry despite the club’s modest status.
Mayence launches season against a minnows
Mayence, a Bundesliga club, chose to begin its campaign with an away tie against the amateur side, travelling to Krieschow’s Sportpark for the first‑round Pokal fixture. The decision places the professional team against a club that has never before hosted a match alongside the likes of Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund. For Mayence, the encounter offers a chance to test squad depth early in the season.
To meet Pokal standards, Krieschow invested roughly half of its €211 886 participation bonus – about half of the club’s annual budget – in temporary stands that doubled the venue’s capacity from 2 000 to 4 000 seats. One thousand of those seats have been earmarked for Les supporters de Mayence travelling to the village. The work was carried out by fifty volunteers, who reported no labour costs, citing a tradition of mutual aid among East German communities. Pour les supporters, the encounter offers a rare opportunity to watch a Bundesliga team play in their village.
Coach Koch counts on home advantage
VfB Krieschow’s coach Robert Koch welcomed the prospect of playing at the club’s regular ground, believing familiarity with the facilities could slightly boost the team’s slim chances. He highlighted that the players know the locker rooms and pitch intimately, avoiding the disruption of a larger stadium. Koch described the match as the biggest in the club’s history to date.
Veteran forward Andy Hebler, 37, holds the club’s scoring record with 284 goals over ten seasons – a league record as well. He admitted the odds of victory are merely “1 or 2 %”, but remains confident, joking about raising the dressing‑room temperature to 40 °C and leaving a few mouldy bananas for the visitors. Hebler’s experience adds a touch of personality to the underdog’s narrative.
Krieschow’s previous Pokal outing ended in a 0‑2 defeat to FC Augsburg, a Bundesliga side, confirming the difficulty of progressing against top‑flight opposition. In the league, the club has yet to earn a point after two matches, underscoring the challenges it faces on both fronts.