The story began with a collection of keys. - HSV stadium manager Krägel bids farewell.
Kurt Kraegel (66) has never scored goals or defended them while playing for HSV, yet he was deservedly given a red card.
At the fan restaurant "die Raute," former sports board member Jonas Boldt (42) and financial boss Eric Huwer (40) entertained 120 invited guests with their humorous speeches. Kraegel confesses, "I got a little emotional."
His first game was during the match against Bayern on April 5, 1997. At that time, professionals like Richard Golz (55), Rodolfo Cardoso (55), and Hasan Salihamidžić (47) played for HSV. Bayern's players included Oliver Kahn (54), Lothar Matthäus (63), and Jürgen Klinsmann (59).
"I was handed a large key ring from Uwe Rainer Krause, then-stadium manager, before the Bayern game. But he was gone before I could even process it," Kraegel recounts of his beginnings as the new head of the Volksparkstadion.
As a former amateur player for HSV, Kraegel faced a gargantuan task—renovating the stadium between 1998 and 2000. "The pitch was rotated 90 degrees. League play continued without interruption, even as the stadium was being demolished and reconstructed. We kept moving Dixi closets from right to left. The Bundesliga kept going, week after week, on a construction site."
For both Kraegel and his team, organizational challenges arose ahead of each game at that time. "We didn't always know which construction site would be ready by the weekend. Or which seats would be available for sale." He's incredibly thankful for the fans during that period. "The crowd was patient, understanding, and would sit wherever there was space with little fuss."
Some memorable moments include the 4:4 draw in the Champions League against Juventus Turin in September 2000. Even the typically reserved VIP spectators in the main stand threw their seat cushions onto the field in excitement. "That never happened again under my watch."
He felt regret over the organization of the Europa League final in 2010 between Atletico Madrid and Fulham (2:1 n. V.). Of course, because HSV missed the chance to host the "Home Final" after losing unnecessarily in London during the semi-final. "I spent the whole season in my office and didn't want to watch the game at all. I just kept wondering, 'Why aren't we playing here?'"
Kraegel laments, "It's a shame that we didn't advance higher during my tenure. I desperately wanted it."
He leaves with fond memories, "It was a dream job, but it came with a lot of hard work and stress. I couldn't have done it without my outstanding team: Ina Fremd, Melanie Bothur, and Melanie Schulze."
And as the goodwill of the Volksparkstadion doesn't completely fade away, Kraegel remains an active part of the European Championship happening in Hamburg. He's the "Venue Director," the event manager, for their five games.
A commendable choice by Uefa. As Kraegel knows every brick, screw, and seat in the Volksparkstadion...
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Source: symclub.org
