Last Friday, 17 December 2021, the players of the 11s (amateurs) and 7s (hobby team) of FC Germania Helsinki came together for a friendly match among themselves at our “home ground” in Vallilanlaakso in the heart of Helsinki. The match, scheduled for the end of the year, ended 3:1 for the 11s. On arrival, the COVID19 passport of all participants was checked by mobile phone – the “new normal” as they say in pandemic times.
A year ago, training and game activities had already been suspended due to the second Corona wave. The football-free winter of 2021 was not easy for us. It was only in the beautiful spring that we were able to resume training at the club. In April, we started German-language training with pre-school children for the first time. And from May, our men were finally able to kick together again in the now three teams (two 11s and one 7s).
Then everything went on in quick succession. League games began in June. Our 1st team got off to a good start in the Vitonen season and thus in the race for promotion to the fifth highest Finnish division, “Nelonen”. In the “Suomen Regions Cup” they managed a surprise penalty shoot-out against FC Ellas Helsinki, a Greek community club. Meanwhile, the newly founded 2nd team “FCGH Academy” quickly grew together into a harmonious unit, even though they had to concede most of the points in the “Kutonen” to their opponents. Meanwhile, our 7s had fun in the Helsinki hobby league and enjoyed the cool beer after the final whistle.
Away from our own pitch, we were in demand as interview partners for German media on the occasion of the EURO2020 European Football Championship with Finland’s first participation ever. Our “local experts” even made it to Germany’s first television “Sportschau” and Deutschlandradio. Our outdoor viewing of the Portugal vs. Germany match (2:4) on a warm Saturday evening in June attracted around 80 guests to the German School Helsinki – a joyful event after the end of the restrictions at the time.
After the summer break, things continued a bit bumpy. Our first team made it into the promotion round, but was ultimately beaten by other teams. Finally, the pandemic reared its ugly head again. But thanks to the COVID19 pass and other precautions, we have been able to continue playing so far.
Overall, 2021 has been a very exciting, yet successful year for our club. We have now even exceeded the “magic” limit of 100 members for the first time! Economically, we are on a firm footing, not least thanks to the financial support of our main sponsors Bruhn Spedition, Hetzner and the German School Helsinki. Many of our members volunteer as coaches, on the FCGH board and in other functions.
Special thanks also go to the growing community of our fans and followers on the pitch and in the social media channels. We are also counting on your support in the new year – for which we already have many plans!
Until then, FC Germania Helsinki wishes all supporters, sponsors and partners a relaxing holiday season and a happy and hopefully healthy year 2022!
