VfL Wolfsburg will travel to the capital for their first competitive match of the 2023/24 season. And specifically to TuS Makkabi Berlin – a Jewish club that have made history.
On 3 June, the fifth-tier side won 3-1 in the Berlin state cup final against Sparta Lichtenberg to qualify for the first round of the DFB Cup, something never before achieved by a Jewish club. It’s a “milestone in the club’s history” which “will remain in the annals of TuS Makkabi forever and serve as an inspiration”, according to the Berlin club’s website.
Wolfgang Sandhowe, who has been in charge of the team since 1 July 2019, is an old-school coach. “Normally I don’t let anyone drink alcohol,” the 69-year-old told rbb24. “But before the final I said to the team: ‘We’ve worked hard all season long, you should be rewarded. After the game we’ll have a proper booze-up.’” He himself only drinks occasionally, but when he does it’s a whisky and cola. The fact there was whisky and cola on that night tells a thousand words.