From Scotland to Munich via the FohlenWelt

After recovering from a serious accident, young Scot Ethan Walker is now aiming to cycle to the opening game of the EUROs in Munich. The 18-year-old’s journey also took him to the FohlenWelt.

Ethan Walker was dealt a cruel twist of fate eight months ago. The talented young footballer from Scotland was in New York for a scholarship when he was hit by a car, suffering life-threatening injuries. Less than a year later, the 18-year-old is not yet ready to play football again, but thanks to hard work and good medical care, is ready to take on a huge challenge on his bike. Walker has decided to cycle from Hampden Park (Glasgow) all the way to Munich – a distance of over 1,000 kilometres. His journey will raise money for two British health organisations. And he’s carrying one very special item with him: the official pennant that Scotland will present to Germany at the opening game of EURO 2024. His journey also took him to the FohlenWelt.

Walker had planned a rest day in Düsseldorf, which he and his team used to pay a visit to the new special ‘Borussia and the Brits’ exhibition at the FohlenWelt at BORUSSIA-PARK. British Consul-General Nick Russell was also present. “This exhibition gives my goosebumps,” said Russell during his visit. “It’s fantastic to see the connections between German and English football and how so many Brits come to BORUSSIA-PARK on the regular. I should definitely join them some time.” Director of the FohlenWelt Matthias Rech immediately offered this invitation in the ‘Foals Pub’ in the exhibition. “It’s incredible what Ethan’s doing with this journey after a very bad accident. The trip to see ‘Borussia and the Brits’ maybe helped him to refuel on his day off,” said Rech, who was delighted by the visit from Scotland and Düsseldorf. Borussia gave the group a Gladbach cycling jersey to take with them on the remainder of their journey to Munich.

VISIT THE FOHLENWELT AND THE SPECIAL EXHIBITION NOW

Walker himself, who is an Aberdeen fan, was also fascinated to learn about the Foals’ relationship to British football, from the first game against British soldiers after the Second World War to the match in his Scottish homeland against Celtic which led to our moniker of ‘A German Team’. “I follow the Bundesliga and I had a great experience today in this huge stadium. I also spotted the flag and pennant of my club in the special exhibition, alongside all the things that connect Borussia and Britain,” said the football fan, whose 13-day trip to Munich continues on Friday so he can hand over the pennant to the Scottish national side in time for the opening game.