The Bogey
By: Abby | March 6th, 2009Normally, when a team at the top of the table meets a team towards the bottom, there’s not much to talk about and not much is expected. But nothing is normal about Hertha Berlin this season. So why should this be any different?
The bottom team in question is our Brandenburg neighbors, the consistently non-glamorous but fantastically named Energie Cottbus. They’re in 16th, the last drop spot, but level on points with fellow somehow still in the Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefeld. Cottbus are consistently in this position since they were promoted in 2006, but have managed to stay in the top flight by the skin of their teeth. And copious help from us.
For some reason, we always do poorly against FC Energie. We may not be a traditional glamor side, but we’ve usually at least been one step ahead of them. However, they’re the ones more often then not taking the points. It’s the one derby-ish game we have, so it’s possible that we’re just being nice so we can keep them around. Still, though. They’ve won 7 of the last 11 meetings between us and I can’t remember the last time we’ve won.
But we’re trying for things this year. We’re trying for Europe. We’re trying for the Champions League. We’re trying for the freaking title, of all things. Which means we have to win against the bottom sides, especially as we go into a run of difficult games. If we want to sustain this most unlikely of title charges (and earn enough to keep Voronin and avoid selling any of our prize assets), we need a result.
There’s not much more that can be said. I’m hoping for the best and expecting the worst, as always. The players should be fired up to reverse their win over us at the Olympiastadion at the beginning of the year. Lulu’s got special plans.
And if we win and keep doing so, the master goldsmith in charge of carving names on the Schale thinks it’d be fun to do so. A short name, apparently…
Category: match preview
Comments
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Holy Shit! hat-trick for Voronin against Cottbus.
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Good blog, but Abbey what were you worried about
Seriously, we were pretty lucky against Cottbus. If Jula doesn’t miss a wide-open goal in the 20th minute, we’re down 2-nil and it’s pretty much lights out, even with Andriy. On the other hand, who gives a rat’s ass? Why shouldn’t Lady Luck smile on us for a change.
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I wish I could have watched the match. GOLTV only shows us when we play Bayern and Schalke. Hopefully with us at the top they will show us more often.
I hate to say it, but the fixtures don’t look too daunting. The toughest trips besides HSV are to Stuttgart – where we won last year – and to Hoffenheim – which has major injuries. If we can draw at HSV, and get between 11-13 points at home, the impossible may happen.
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Hey Abby, once again – a really nice blog. I really appreciate your work on here.
I took the liberty and linked your blog at hertha-inside.de’s forum. ;o)
Thank you also for joining my group at LJ. I can’t wait to see our boys in Stuttgart. Wheee!
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Nice blog, I read it every week.
Voronin has really been playing well and his third goal against Cottbus was fantastic. If Hertha can sign him permanently I think he would be more than a suitable replacement for Pantelic.
If anyone is having trouble finding the games on tv you can usually find them on ustream.tv or atdhe.net
cheers, Erik
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Thanks for the nice comments, you guys! I didn’t get to watch the game since I’ve spent the weekend on a business trip, but what a nice result to keep me going through it…
And Jefferson, I still maintain that Dieter stole some good-luck charm from Uli. That would explain the season.
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