Women miss a record, but celebrate their debut win against Bremen

The Bundesliga women of 1. FC Köln won for the first time in the RheinEnergieStadion. It didn’t hurt that the audience record was missed.

When the number of spectators in the RheinEnergieStadion was announced, those responsible around sports director Nicole Bender-Rummler held their breath: Then the number appeared on the scoreboard: 30,123. For the second time, 1. FC Köln has broken the 30,000 mark in the women’s Bundesliga – the only club in the history of the league.

In April 2023, the billy goats welcomed a total of 38,365 fans to Müngersdorf against Eintracht Frankfurt (0-1). It had already been clear a few days ago that this brand would continue to exist even after the game against SV Werder Bremen eleven months later, after advance sales initially got off to a slow start. But the fact that FC was able to fill the stadium by more than half was ultimately a success for the club.

But even more important on Sunday was the result of the game. Because FC won against Bremen in a hard-fought game 2-1 (1-0). Coach Daniel Weber’s team impressed for the first time in months and celebrated their first win since November 2023. Marleen Schimmer was able to enter the FC history books as Cologne’s first goalscorer in the RheinEnergieStadion. She gave FC the lead in the 31st minute with a penalty kick that she took herself.

The Cologne team didn’t allow themselves to be disturbed in the second half when Bremen equalized. Jasmin Sehan, who had been substituted immediately before, headed in a cross from Nina Lührßen in the six-yard box, making it 1-1 (76th). Because just five minutes later, the majority of the 30,000 spectators were able to cheer again. Martyna Wiankowska hit the ball from the left side high into the Bremen penalty area, at the second post Carlotta Wamser maneuvered the ball over the line with her chest – the 2-1 winning goal in the 81st minute.

In terms of sport, this threesome couldn’t have come at a better time. The FC women are once again far behind their own expectations, were recently only three points ahead of a relegation place, but were now able to pull away with the three points and now have a good chance of staying in the league again.

If 1. FC Cologne stays in the first division, it can also see confirmation that it will continue to play an FC women’s game once a year in the large RheinEnergie Stadium in the future. Many families with children came on Sunday. FC legend Jonas Hector and most of the Bundesliga men – including head coach Timo Schultz – also didn’t want to miss the game.

With a large supporting program, including the Höhner singing the FC anthem live, entertainment was once again provided beyond the football game. Afterwards, the players were able to celebrate wildly, dancing in front of the south curve and visibly enjoying the applause from the fans.

Moments that probably gave the players courage for their next tasks: In a week, the Cologne women will travel to Leverkusen for the derby. A week later, FC welcomes the second-to-last team from Nuremberg. By then at the latest, FC could make it as good as perfect to stay in the league.