The summer break from football will temporarily be put on hold on Saturday (03.06.2017) as ‘Merte’s 96-Freunden’ take on ‘Clemens’ Werderanern’. The two teams, both packed with noteable figures, will do battle in Hannover’s 96-Stadion for a great cause. We caught up with honorary captain Clemens Fritz ahead of the match.
WERDER.DE: Hello Clemens, football is finally back on Saturday. How excited are you?
Clemens Fritz: “Very excited. I’m looking forward to meeting lots of old acquaintances and former teammates. It will be nice to see all the boys together again in this environment. I’m also pleased that so many people are prepared to help out and support us. It should be a great event with the good cause very much at the forefront.
WERDER.DE: How did this game come about? Who’s idea was it?
Clemens Fritz: “It was a joint idea between myself and Per. We both have foundations and spoke about it for the first time at the end of last year, that we would like to do something and we arrived at a charity match. Then we put our heads together and tomorrow it’s going to happen.”
WERDER.DE: You said that the cause is at the forefront. Do you already have plans for what the proceeds will go towards?
Clemens Fritz: “The money will be divided and will go to the same departments of both of our foundations. Per very much wants to support young people as well as increase integration in Hannover. I’m supporting disadvantaged children and have a project with Isa Kompass whereby young people are brought into a family-like living environment and are given help and support in preparing to live by themselves.
WERDER.DE: So the spectators will get the chance to watch two interesting teams with lots of familiar faces go head-to-head tomorrow.
Clemens Fritz: “Yes exactly. We want to put on a great event for families, fans and spectators. There will be a family friendly programme from 15:00 CEST with a goal wall, darts, spring measurement, food, a tombola and lots more to around the stadium. Fury in the Slaughtershouse will perform live at half-time. Of course, we also want to see a good game. More importantly for us though, is that the families and the children have a good time. Of course, we’re also hoping for good weather.
WERDER.DE: So people should also plan things to do before and after the game. Let’s take a look at the match. Who is going to be playing?
Clemens Fritz: “Most of the guys in my team have a connection to Werder. There will be a few former players such as Tim Wiese, Patrick Owomoyela, Tim Borowski and Frank Baumann, but Marko Marin and the Eggestein-brothers will also appear. Ailton and Ivan Klasnic will both also appear slightly later on. Matze Knop and Elton are also both on my team. Per has a lot of players who played together at Hannover 96, as well as Nikolas Kiefer and Oliver Pocher. So we’re nicely set-up.”
WERDER.DE: You won’t be able to play because of your injury. What will you be doing on the day?
Clemens Fritz: “Yes of course I would’ve loved to have played. That was what we thought would be the case when we organised the match. So now I will support our coach Wolfgang Roll. Our boys are chomping at the bit. (laughs).“
WERDER.DE: And after the final whistle, autograph collectors will get their money’s worth?
Clemens Fritz: “Definitely. We’ve built a platform near the stands on which we will be able to sign autographs and pose for photos. There will plenty of opportunity for us to meet the fans.”
WERDER.DE: Final question: can people still come along at the last minute?
Clemens Fritz: “We’ve built additional stands and there are still tickets available in advance and on the day. The first box office will open at 12:00 CEST tomorrow and all of the others will open at 14:00 CEST. Doors will open at 15:00 CEST. We’re pleased to welcome everyone who is coming tomorrow and is supporting our great cause.”
