Also . . . HSC and MUFC Notes

I rarely watch domestic cup matches outside of those featuring clubs I support or two really good squads. But, every so often a magical run from a small town, lower division club against teams from the big four leagues (England, Italy, Germany, Spain) catches my attention.

It’s happening this year in Germany. A few weeks a tiny little third division club called FC eliminated the mighty European giants Bayern Munich from the DFB-Pokal (German Cup) and a Cinderella story was unfolding.

Though I had to work on my computer, I had the Round-of-16 match between Saarbrücken and top flight side Eintracht Frankfurt (seventh in the Bundesliga) on my phone.

As the match went on tied 0-0, the feeling that Saarbrücken, who were playing at home, could score in the second half and win the match kept creeping up.

Sure enough, the goal came and then another goal later one to send their fans into ecstasy.

I was unable to hold back a supportive “yes!” both times the plucky underdog scored to defeat their supposed “superior” opponents and book a trip to the German Cup quarterfinals.

Photos in the following gallery from dfb.de and FC Saarbrücken’s Facebook Page.

Remarkably, despite their stellar Cup performances, Saarbrücken sits in the middle of the third division pack at 11^th place.

Though the little club has far exceeded any reasonable expectations at this point, we should all be sending our collective spirit towards them in the hopes they can pull off the highly improbable feat of winning the Cup.

The 120-year-old club was founded on April 18, 1903 and actually played in the top league on five occasions, the last being the 1992/1993 season.

They have some very interesting history, including being part of the French league system for a short time after World War II, becoming the first German team to beat Real Madrid, doing so in a friendly by a score of 4-0 during the post war exclusion from the German league.

They were also the first German club, alongside Rot-Weiss Essen, to play in the European Cup (1955/1956 season).

Check out a bit more of this historic club’s past at: https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/saarbrucken-club-by-club-historical-guide-24205

Their next German Cup opponents are yet to be determined as the draw is on Sunday, December 10, but they will face either one of the three remaining Bundesliga sides (Leverkusen, Gladbach, or Stuttgart), or one of the remaining second division clubs (Kaiserslautern, Fortuna Düsseldorf, St. Pauli, or Hertha Berlin).

The four, single match elimination quarterfinals take place on January 30 and 31 and February 6 and 7, 2024.

German Cup matches and Bundesliga matches are available to stream on DAZN Canada.

INDOOR soccer in huntsville

Our regular Tuesday night league for more experienced individuals has been renamed to Division 1.

It’s a 4 v 4 program that will have a pick-up format until the holiday break, with teams being made and league play beginning in January and running through April.

On Thursday night, an intermediate pick-up league called Division 2 with mixed skill levels participating runs weekly with 4 v 4 games. There will not be teams made, it’s a come and play program.

Visit https://www.huntsvillesoccer.ca/adult to learn more and find links to register.

There is also a Huntsville women’s only training program that runs Mondays from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. It’s an invite only program and those interested can email the coordinator to find out more: womensleague@huntsvillesoccer.ca

HUntsville soccer club AGM

The Huntsville Soccer Club annual general meeting will be held on December 13 at 7 p.m. via a Microsoft Teams call. All players, coaches and families of youth players are welcome to attend, as well as anyone interested in learning more about the Club.

An email with the video meeting link will be sent out via email newsletter to the HSC membership.

The following voting positions are up for election this year, Vice President, Minor Soccer Director, Head Club Coach, Adult Coordinator, Diversity & Inclusion Officer, and Treasurer.

Opportunities exist in taking on other roles for the club that require seasonal or limited commitments, including Equipment Manager, Field Scheduler, and Communications. 

Anyone interested in joining the club’s executive committee or becoming a volunteer in another fashion, can email administrator@huntsvillesoccer.ca

Muskoka united fc looking for sponsors

Muskoka United FC are looking for 2024 sponsors at both the club-wide and team specific level.

Local sponsorship, combined with the extensive efforts of the volunteer board and coaches, allows the club to offer ever-growing and improving rep soccer programming throughout Muskoka and the surrounding areas.

If you have any interest in becoming a sponsor or to find out other ways to help, contact muskokaunitedfc@gmail.com