One sells photovoltaic systems, the other is a player in the newly founded Baller League. Still others have their own company and advise on tax matters and pension issues.
The paths of the promotion heroes look very different, but the miracle of Bielefeld unites them all. Over the last few weeks we have spoken to the protagonists who played in the relegation second leg on May 19, We wanted to know how they look back on what they have achieved, but at the same time what their career path looked like and what they are doing today. Anecdotes of broken windshields and sleepy gas station stops included. At that moment I could have just hugged everyone.
Particularly emotional for the midfielder: it was the last game of his professional career. Costa wore the Lilies jersey from to , after which he moved to the 2nd Bundesliga to SpVgg Unterhaching. The midfielder played in the same league from to , where he was active for FC Augsburg.
Before he went back to the Lilies, there was a short trip to Kickers Offenbach. Although da Costa no longer holds this position, he will be back on the sidelines from summer onwards. Darmstadt was my second professional club in Germany; I grew very fond of the club during my first spell here.
Coming back here was like being home again. And then in the last game, securing promotion with the last shot: That completes the circle! After that I will become a youth coach. In his first 34 third division games he scored 27 goals, making him by far the top scorer. A season later, Stroh-Engel was also an important part of the team that was promoted to the Bundesliga. And what happened in May ? The Lilies also managed that with his goal.
