
50.000 FC fans celebrated the season opener of 1. FC Köln last Saturday on the forecourt of the RheinEnergieStadion. In addition to the large main stage, which was presented by the REWE Group, the REWE, DER Travel and Tourism and ZooRoyal sales divisions enriched the family festival with numerous activity stands that invited people to linger, play, kick and run around.
"Mer fiere dä FC - En Kölle & Europa" - under this motto, stadium announcer Michael Trippel led through the varied programme in bright sunshine. FC President Werner Wolf was visibly impressed by the crowd during his welcome address: "This is the FC. We need to be together, to feel each other, to talk to each other - that's what holds this club together." FC Vice-President Carsten Wettich was also delighted to see so many fans, especially after the long break due to the coronavirus: "We've missed that in the last two years."
While the Höhner play the FC anthem, players and fans perform the scarf choreography
Another highlight of the day was the singing of the FC anthem "Mer stonn zo dir, FC Kölle": The Höhner played the song and it wasn't long before all the fans were holding up their FC scarves and singing along.
After the traditional team presentation of the men's and women's team - which recently got its first official fan club - Cologne music acts such as Kasalla, Die Höhner, Mo-Torres and Ben Randerath got the visitors, young and old, going. Those who got too hot could cool off in one of the lounges provided by the REWE Group and DER Travel and Tourism. Four-legged companions could look for a shady spot and the right dog snack at the ZooRoyal stand. For all those who wanted to get active, there was plenty to discover at the sales divisions: In addition to the "Quadro Jump" trampoline in the REWE Group area, FC supporters could let off steam at the numerous REWE action modules as well as compete against each other in a digital challenge at the REWE FC fan box via smartphone. DER Travel and Tourism offered an obstacle course and a surf simulator for younger visitors. The FC motifs were particularly popular with fans at the ZooRoyal airbrush stadium.
The visitors left the stadium forecourt exuberant, happy and, in most cases, a few autographs richer. Coach Steffen Baumgart, who is usually rather reserved when it comes to making predictions, is optimistic about the start of the Bundesliga and the European games: "We're in a good position, the lads are doing well. We have a good feeling going into the competitions."Credit : 1. FC Köln