No last-ditch rescue attempt - Prussia's Grote overlooks his anniversary.
Dennis Grote (37) was joyful and contented about Münster's promotion to the second division. However, his emotions were combined with frustration and disappointment at the end.
During his emotional farewell by sports director Peter Niemeyer (40) in front of approximately 7,000 spectators at the city hall on Sunday morning, Grote stayed quiet and tried to avoid the microphone. His reason was less about emotions and more about annoyance.
Grote, who considers Prussia his home club, had hoped for a short appearance in the final minutes of the last game against Unterhaching (2-0). But this did not happen.
Although the important home win over Spielvereinigung had already been accomplished, and coach Sascha Hildmann (52) still had an unused substitution option. Still, he chose to not utilize it.
It was even more disheartening for Grote as he would have marked his 600th game of his lengthy professional career during the encounter. He debuted in the Prussian youth team 23 years ago.
The Palatinate native, who moved to Wettringen in Münsterland at a young age and has felt connected to the area ever since, admitted honestly: "I would have loved to play against Unterhaching once more. Personally, it would have been the perfect end to two successful seasons in which we even surpassed our goal by reaching the 2nd division."
He signed with Münster from Wacker Innsbruck in the summer of 2022 in order to use his experience to help lead the then fourth-tier "Black-White-Greens" back into the 3rd division quickly. Despite suffering a cruciate ligament injury in his second season, he rapidly recovered and played three games (all away).
Though his contract in Münster was not renewed due to this injury and his advancing age, Grote understands this. He will instead work as a leader and squad planner for the U23s (Oberliga) at VfL Bochum, where he played 69 times in the Bundesliga between 2004 and 2010.
The former U21 European champion (2009/including Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels, Sami Khedira, and Mesut Özil) also received a farewell match from the Prussians. They set it up on the beach in Palma! During the trip's final three days to Mallorca with 22 of his teammates, they made up for it with a quick kick in the warm sand in front of Ballermann.
In a carefree mood, there was definitely some drinks through the day.
Nicolai "Rambo" Remberg (22), an ex-Münster player was present as well with the promoted Bundesliga team from Holstein Kiel and the boys from SSV Ulm, who have made it into the lower league.
No doubt, soccer unites. For the most part...
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Source: symclub.org
