By Sabine Klier
Hertha fans meet in the Westend Klause on Steubenplatz. It is only a few hundred meters from here to the Olympic Stadium. Two large TVs on the wall. Fluppe and Molle in hand, Mettbrötchen with cucumber on the table. And then the derby against Union!
Axel (73) and Matze (72) are already glowing. “We’ve been football fans for a long time. Let’s see if it stays that way if our Hertha is relegated,” mocks Axel. Optimism sounds different. And Matze says: “Unfortunately, we are sure that this will be the beginning of the descent today.”
46 men and women sit at the tables, some with blue and white scarves and jerseys.
In the Westend-Klause on Steubenplatz, 46 football fans followed the derby on two large screens Photo: Michael Huebner
On the table is a note from a Hertha group. Expectations are low, as is the stake of two euros. Nobody bets on a home win. “Hertha will be kicked in the face today. We are realists,” says Dennis (35) mercilessly. It all sounds kind of like unrequited love.
Pub boss Peter Lippel (75) proud: “I’m a Hertha fan by profession.” But today he doesn’t believe in a win either. The statistics prove him right. Hertha has lost the last five derbies.
Beer supplies arrive, served by the waitress who has been working here for 15 years. Everyone just calls her Peppels (58). “It burns the air,” she says, “regardless of whether Hertha wins or loses.”
Disappointed faces among the pub visitors. The happy hope had already left their faces when Union made it 1-0 Photo: Michael Huebner
The first half is running, a player is injured. Regular guest Wolfgang: “He has a back.” Andy replies: “Me too.”
Outside, a police water cannon drives by with blue lights, inside the air is foggy.
Then the 44th minute. Gate of Union. The shouts of the amateur commentators echoed through the room. “Yet again! They just don’t learn it,” Andy yells. Another quick beer on the frustration.
Hanne (81) is always here when Hertha plays. “I’m looking forward to Hertha scoring a goal. Because then we all get a runt from the landlord.”
Anne (81) never misses a game. “I’m all in. Blood pressure rises. I always hope for a win.” Photo: Michael Huebner
Then the second goal for the Köpenicker falls in the 67th minute. Everyone yells. “That’s impossible,” calls Andy. “And bye,” replies his neighbor Wolfgang. Here they suffer together. Volume and alcohol levels increase. Not the mood. swear words fall.
77 minutes. Boateng comes on. Derogatory laughter fills the pub.
Overtime begins. Four minutes of grace for Hertha. The first put on their jackets and left. Peppels collects. The group canceled the bet because no one guessed correctly. Dennis still has one word of comfort for his club: “Anyway. They played better than expected.”
Next game they will be here again…
(Assistance Simon Schulz)
Ball lightning flashed
That’s it. A warm piece of Berlin tavern tradition ended in Wedding on Saturday. The Hertha cult bar Kugelblitz on Liebenwalder Straße is closed – forever.
Guys, don’t look so sad. To say goodbye, many regular guests and friends came to the Kugelblitz Photo: Ufuk Ucta
To say goodbye, the regulars came by again: one or two beers, a last cheers! And watching football? didn’t work anymore Sky and DAZN had already signed off.
The operators wrote on Facebook: “Saying goodbye is a bit like dying!” Blame for death in the pub: too few guests, declining interest in Champions League games. “And Hertha’s away games alone won’t save us,” said the operator. Bye little pub…
The Kugelblitz on Liebenwalder Straße is closed forever Photo: Ufuk Ucta