Mainz 05: With passion and tears in the amputated Champions League debut!

Mainz 05: With passion and tears in the amputated Champions League debut!

Ankara, Türkei - Robin Menger and the Mainz 05 team have returned from their first Champions League tournament in amputation football from Ankara, where they took seventh place. June 6, 2025 was an important day for the team that was the first German representation in this international league. Menger described the tournament as challenging and expressed his disappointment about the 2-2 draw against AFC Tiflis, although they delivered the better game. However, he was able to score his first goal in the Champions League format. In the following games, Mainz 05 lost 0:11 against Alves Kablo from Turkey and lost to Betis Seville with 0: 1, which sealed the exit from the semi -finals.

was particularly impressed by Menger from the Turkish team Alves Kablo, since it not only offers its players accommodations, but also pays them as in a regular profession. Playing in amputee football league takes place with crutches, while prostheses are not allowed. An international game takes 2 × 25 minutes, in Germany, on the other hand, 2 × 20 minutes on a smaller field.

look at the pioneering work of Mainz 05

The participation of Mainz 05 in the Champions League was an important event, not only for the team, but also for the entire amputation football in Germany. In addition to Menger, Nicola Roos was the first woman playing in this prestigious league, and she called the experience "surreal" and a "huge honor". Stefan Schmidt, another team member, emphasized the highlight to measure yourself against the best teams in Europe. Despite the challenges they experienced in the games, there were also successes - Florian Fischer scored the first goal for Mainz 05 in the Champions League and confirmed that you cannot yet keep up with the stronger teams, but was at eye level with the teams from Spain and Georgia.

The financing of the tournament was fully supported by the association itself, since amputee football in Germany is not promoted by the state. Mainz 05 supports his team with an annual budget for equipment and travel expenses. The players wanted more teams and a better infrastructure to reduce the effort for everyone involved. In Germany there are currently other teams in Hamburg, Berlin, Düsseldorf and Hoffenheim, but sport is not yet widespread.

a sport with perspective

amputation football is a sport that is intended for people with amputations or dysmelie and has been played in Germany since 2008. As a rule, the participants play with one leg and use crutches, while the goalkeepers must have a leg amputation or reduction. There are currently around 50 active athletes in Germany who are organized in a private national team and take part in international tournaments. The World Association of Waff is currently working to include sports in the Paralympics, which could offer a significant perspective for the athletes.

Menger, who would not have believed that after his accident, to ever play again, has made new friendships through amputee football and is optimistic about the next season. The goal is clear: Mainz 05 wants to defend the championship title in the league and qualify again for the Champions League. It remains to be seen how the next games will run in four weeks.

for more information about amputation football and the impressive performance of the players, see FAZ href = "https://www.sportschau.de/regional/swr-riesige-ehre-und-eine-vechenonere-premiere-mainz-nach-dem-champions-league-debuet-100.html"> Sportschau and dfb .