Home Opener vs. SV Sparta Lichtenberg

[Jay]

What a start!

The teams took the field under a grey sky and rain, the Funktrum just visible above the flags and green walls of Eichkamp. Several hundred TB fans had come with good spirit in spite of the rain (and last year's performance) to cheer the home team into the new season.

The rain was the main factor early with the Sparta goalie having trouble on all three(!) Tennis goals at the start of the match.

The first goal for TB came at the very start of the game, a slow cross on the ground found the defenders and goalie flatfooted on the wet grass, with an easy goal shot in by TB from the middle. Almost textbook, a play perhaps unimaginable in the last season, now gifted (in part by the rain, and maybe from the Fußball gods) in the first minutes of the first home game.

It felt like the opening of a champagne bottle. The game (and the season) were a long way from done, but the party had started.

The second TB goal came off a grounder shot from distance. Again, maybe a goal that could have been stopped, but the rain helped the ball find it's way to the back of the net.

The third TB goal came off an air ball that the goalie fumbled. Two TB players on attack right nearby, showing a much desired aggressiveness, helped to make sure the ball found it's way into the net.

3-0 in the first half! Who could have hoped for a better start?

The rain kept increasing from a drizzle to a proper downpour. One could see that Sparta is a good team, but TB kept playing better - good tackles, aggressive runs, (mostly) smart passes. They were tested with several good efforts from Sparta, being hemmed in on defense against a series of corners the Violets held their own in the rain. Only a start and only a moment, but you could feel that these players have the compete and grit to fight for a win even in tough conditions, a feeling that was missing in the last season. This is a team we can really root for.

With the rain and quality of Sparta, the opponents managed to score a goal off a good cycle of pressure and shots on net. 3-1, the game was not over.

As the teams went into the locker rooms at halftime the rain became torrential, as if it had been waiting to really get going. For the Mommsen faithful the wait was over, football was really back in Eichkamp!

The second half began with strong play from both sides. Despite the lead, it felt like Tennis was playing out the clock, and already there was a creeping feeling that we might just be waiting for the team to collapse. As if to underline that the game wasn't over, Sparta scored a goal early, bringing the game within one.

But TB stayed strong. They didn't let up and kept playing better than their opponents - the defense held and the midfield was dynamic with good passes and runs. Eventually this superiority led to one more Tennis goal, solidifying the two point lead again at 4-2.

The remainder of the game saw generally good play mixed in with some mistakes on both sides. The Prussians managed to keep the edge and run out the clock to the end and hold off a number of good attacks from the Lichtenbergers.

The first home game of the season is in the books. 4-2 win for Tennis against a strong Sparta Lichtenberg. The Violets are 2-0-0. Fußball und Freude are back in Mommsen. Come on TeBe! Los geht's!

[mr. bungle]

The Prussians managed to keep the edge

Beautiful match report about the first home win in more than 8 months. Which felt like 8 years. But the longer the suffering, the better the party.

[Jay]

Thanks!

Yeah, I think that win was just what we needed after last season. It would have been bitter to lose right away at home after relegation. It's great that the players gave us something to cheer for instead!

[Andy]

Dear Jay,
thanks so much for your wonderful report. I appreciate your love of our club.
I can't make Friday's epic clash at the mighty Mommse, but will be at the "away" match at Makkabi.
If you fancy a drink afterwards, just let me know.
Regards, Andy

[Jay]

thanks so much for your wonderful report. I appreciate your love of our club.

Hey Andy, thanks - glad you enjoyed it! I'll let you know about the Makkabi game. Cheers!