Steffen Baumgart didn’t want to give the big party order, but he promised to turn a blind eye on the return flight. He can’t say that everything is allowed, said the 1. FC Köln coach after the 3-0 win in the second leg of the play-off at Fehérvár FC, which saw FC Bayern into the group stage of the Conference League.
“But I’m also not one to pronounce bans in any way,” said Baumgart: “I would be exaggerating if I were to control everything now. I assume that the boys tend to drink less and know what’s good for them. But you can drink one beer, even two. And if someone thinks he has to smoke one, he can smoke one. The boys are grown. You will know what works and what doesn’t.”
The celebration with the fans after the win was “pure enjoyment”: “That was a moment that we should really enjoy. As long as it is possible. As long as possible means: see you tomorrow.” From Friday, the focus should be on Sunday’s Bundesliga game against VfB Stuttgart.
But the boisterous block party after the prologue in the play-offs is said to have been just the beginning – now FC Europa really wants to rock. Many in the environment think of Eintracht Frankfurt’s emotional journey to Europa League victory last year, even if a similar success seems unrealistic. But FC is also a traditional club that thirsts for Europe. It is only the second season in the past 30 years that Cologne has played internationally.
The celebration in front of the curve after the game was “pure ecstasy”, said central defender Timo Hübers, who made it 1-0 (10th). He already looked at the group draw on Friday at 2:30 p.m. in Istanbul. The 26-year-old assured him personally that he didn’t care where it went. “As a player you see the hotel, the stadium, the airport, but not that much of the city,” he said. “In terms of type, I’m most drawn to Benelux or Scandinavia. But I hope we get some destinations that a lot of fans can go to. Then there will be big football festivals.”
