After 35 years of being promoted. - Gäher has faith in his Prussian units.
He's certain about it, stating confidently, "The boys will achieve it on Saturday - just like we did in the past..."
In the season finale at home against Unterhaching (Saturday, 1:30 p.m., live on Magenta Sport and WDR), newly promoted third-division team Münster plans and hopes to secure their direct entry into the 2nd division with a win. Another opportunity presented itself after their first chance slipped through their fingers with the disappointing 0:2 in Verl on the preceding Sunday.
Ulrich "Uli" Gäher (62) acknowledges, "Certainly, the pressure has increased significantly." But at the same time, he highlights a positive aspect: "Coach Sascha Hildmann and his team still control their destiny. Three points against Spielvereinigung - and they'll create a club legacy."
He recalls the similarities to his and his teammates' experience 35 years ago, when Prussia ascended into the German soccer lower league for the final time. On the second-to-last promotion matchday back then, the "Adlerträger" could've accomplished their goal with a victory over Reinickendorfer Füchse in Berlin. However, despite leading at halftime, they failed to secure the win, ending in a 2-1 defeat.
Their final match was against Duisburg. They needed to earn at least one more point to stay on track. They achieved that result with a scoreless draw on June 18, 1989, in front of 22,000 spectators in the stadium on Hammer Straße. Münster and MSV were subsequently promoted.
However, it wasn't a peaceful division of points, as one might initially presume. To the contrary! Captain Gäher vividly recalls: "Duisburg's highly motivated squad aimed to cramp our style in every possible way, as they aimed to spoil our party the year before - in the same setup - when we'd derailed their promotion with a 4:1 home victory against Hertha BSC mere seconds before the final whistle, inadvertently."
In stark contrast to today's situation, Gäher and his teammates had more at stake back then. Defeat for them would have rendered all aspirations futile. However, this isn't the case this time around. Gäher: "If Saturday's match against Unterhaching doesn't pan out, there's still a play-off chance against the 3rd team in the 2nd division. Either way, I'm convinced Preußen Münster will find their place amongst Germany's elite clubs next season."
The retired forward, who currently operates a thriving physiotherapy practice in Ascheberg, picks up on more similarities: "I believe that Hildmann's squad is composed of more than merely teammates. They're friends and solid individuals, willing to burn for each other. That was the secret to our past success."
Gäher showers praises upon coach Hildmann: "He's been doing an exceptional job in his fifth year, in tandem with the management. And I'm certain he'll identify the necessary alterations to ensure victory against Spielvereinigung on Saturday."
Gäher's advice: Until then, carry on with business as usual and remain focused. His former coach Helmut Horsch (75) followed this approach in the lead-up to the event: "A few one-on-one discussions with his key players were involved, but aside from that, no extraordinary measures were taken. That would've undoubtedly been detrimental."
When the game starts on Saturday, Gäher won't be praying for their success from the stands. Rather, he'll be in front of the TV on Sylt. The holiday had been planned long ago. Yet, a triumph for his Prussians would be an extra incentive to unwind...
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Source: symclub.org
