The young and the old and a missed game in Germany (03/12/2016)

Hannover 96’s second string (u21’s, reserves, development squad - whatever you want to call them) play in the 4^th tier of German football, the Regionalliga Nord. They play their homes games at the Eilenriedestadion, the original home of Hannover 96. There H96 have established an excellent small modern stadium and academy set up.

The original art-deco main stand of the stadium, adjacent to the former finishing line of the athletics track that would have encompassed the pitch, is now behind a goal and two new stands have been built on the flanks of the realigned pitch.

We (myself and my mate I was visiting in Hannover) were due to see ‘ H96 II’ in league action at the Eilenriedestadion but due to some confusion we missed the game by a matter of 18 hours. We did get to watch some football though. On one of the academy’s artificial pitches the U15’s were entertaining the U15’s of VFL Osnabruck.

The game ended 0:0 but is it was not devoid of action and good skill. Both teams played some nice football but the best chance came the way of the Hannover youngsters. The big left sided midfielder whipped in a beautiful cross from the wing and found the number 9 in a central position 8 yards out with a ball that looked easier to convert than to miss, but miss he did.

The individual player that stood out was the Osnabruck midfielder, number 6. He looked comfortable on the ball and taking on players and pinging long passes accurately to the feet of his team mates.  

I was actually wishing Osnabruck would sneak a winner as Osnabruck is Derby’s twin city.