It is one of those stories that are being written less and less frequently in modern soccer. A tiny village with just 250 inhabitants is turning Bavarian amateur soccer on its head — and that without a big budget. SpVgg Hankofen-Hailing is promoted to the Bavarian Regional League. It is the loop around the best season in the club's history.
Always there: the B42 training app.
In the meantime, they had a full eleven points advantage and were already decisively knocking on the door to the fourth division during the winter break - now, a year later, they are asserting themselves in the semi-professional regional league.
But how does a small village in the Lower Bavarian province manage to write a fairy tale with manageable financial resources that would make even the Brothers Grimm green with envy.
We accompanied SpVgg Hankofen-Hailing during the winter break.
They proudly call themselves “Dorfbuam.” The lettering is prominently emblazoned on the red home shirt or the black away shirt. And once you come to Hankofen, you know why: a church, a few single-family houses, cornfields as far as the eye can see and a soccer stadium with lots of charm. Geographically, it can be described as a province. No longer in soccer terms.
Because it is not uncommon for the colorful seats in the main stand to be filled to the last place and more than 1,000 spectators whip their players forward until the last minute.
Anyone who now thinks that the game association is a grumpy Bolzer squad with outstanding standard situations is deceived. The newcomer to the regional league is already convincing in his inaugural season with attractive soccer and the seemingly ideal combination of controlled possession and lurking pressing.
From fertile farmland to above-average attendance — there are currently many things in abundance for Lower Bavarians from Hankofen. Money, on the other hand, is not included.
There is no major sponsor behind SpVgg who wants to make a name for himself in amateur soccer. Little by little, the “Dorfbuam” have developed to where they are now — ahead of the best season of their lives. Since 2012, Hofer, Beck and Co. have played in the fifth highest division. The best ranking to date? Sixth place.
Of course, Hankofen's players also arouse desire among competitors or higher-class teams. In particular, the two top goal scorers of the Bayern League season Tobias Lermer (22 goals) and Andreas Wagner (11 goals).
But — and this also fits into the image of a club in which solidarity and identity are a top priority — with the key players, it was already possible to renew early.
There is the question of the success factors for such an explosion of performance.
In Gäuboden, as Hankofen's home region is called, every wheel is currently reaching into the other with millimetre precision. The two coaches have played a large part in this:
Heribert “Heri” Ketterl (61) and Tobias Beck (27). An unusual coaching duo that consists of the oldest and youngest coaches in the entire Bayernliga. While Beck is THE central figure in the Lower Bayern game on the pitch, Ketterl pulls the strings from the sidelines.
A system that works. Ketterl and Beck have not only managed to celebrate one soccer festival after the next at Reissinger Bach. They also own the cabin. Speak the language of the players, motivate and provide comfort.
We are the game changer — B42
An achievement of the equal coaching duo: On and off the pitch, Hankofen looks like a close-knit bunch of pretty best friends. You do a lot together privately and you always win or lose together on the pitch. No one is forgotten in the process.
Regardless of whether you are a regular player, a convalescent or a bench presser — everyone receives the necessary appreciation and is thus subordinate to team success. “With us, everyone goes through fire for the other,” says Vice Captain Daniel Hofer, explaining the team spirit that seems to support Lower Bavarians, especially in tight or difficult game situations. “It doesn't matter whether you're sitting outside or fighting back from an injury — everyone does their best, is part of the team and pushes the boys on the pitch. ”
“B42 is a professional app that helps us enormously to be at the top level of athletics.” Heribert Ketterl is convinced that player fitness is a crucial component of our current success.
Because Ketterl and Beck's dynamically intensive game system can only be implemented if every single player is in top shape and there are few injuries.
A plan that has worked so far: Hankofen's players gallop at maximum speed for 95 minutes and therefore very often maintain the upper hand. Even if the opponent may be stronger in the game.
Athletic training with B42 is coordinated by Tobi Beck. He individually sets the training sessions for his teams, assigns additional shifts to certain parts of the team and controls regeneration through mobility and yoga.
The topics of performance tests and load monitoring are also important tools for the young coach: “It is simply great that we as a coaching team now know where every player stands. Where are his strengths, where could you work out something else or how much training can the boys take? ”
Almost 12 months ago, SpVgg Hankofen-Hailing outstripped everything in the Bayernliga Süd standings. 13 points ahead of a non-promotion position, 56:29 goals and just five losses. At that time, the original goal of “class retention” had to be revised as early as the winter break.
At this point, however, no one really wanted to talk about promotion, because “the league is very balanced, with many good teams. It would be negligent to talk about advancement now. ”
And Tobias Beck and his boys did well back then to think “from game to game.” According to the playing coach, they wanted to start the spring round well and above all in top shape. And after that? You want one thing in particular:
“Regardless of the end result, we want to be able to look in the mirror and say, yes, we gave everything and can't blame ourselves for anything.” When a top position comes out of it, we're all overjoyed. ”
And what can you say: They can do that. Despite a difficult phase of the season with some disappointing results, the people of Hankofen remained true to themselves and their playing style.
With success, because now it's decided, the best season of her life. With really good results, of course, but also with a lot of friendship, solidarity and passion.
Everyone is talking about Hankofen all over Bavaria right now. A small village club that annoys big and successful competitors on a weekly basis. A modern Asterix saga, which, however, appears again and again in the regional league.
For example, TSV Buchbach and SV Schalding-Heining have been playing in the concert of the big players for years — with little budget but with smart solutions. This includes B42. Because that is exactly what unites these sensational teams: they all use the athletic app and break new ground in this area.
For real soccer, which we all love so much, it is a blessing that these stories can be told over and over again. When expensive financed star ensembles are put in their place by passionate underdogs, you see that even without money, the best season of life is within the realm of possibility.
Be fearless. Be focused. B42
Be one step ahead of the others - with B42
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