The Showdown that took 113 Years to Take Place
It was 113 years ago when the Viktoria Berlin football club was named the winner by default of the league final they were supposed to play. This was due to the fact that their competitors, the Hanau club was unable to travel to Berlin to play Viktoria due to lack of funds. Hanau, which is located in southwest Germany, was 400 kilometers away from Viktoria Berlin. The results of the 1894 competition meant that Viktoria took home the win and the title for the league by default.
It took just 113 years for the Hanau team to attempt to bring their loss and the Viktoria team to justice. Since the victory went to Viktoria, throughout the years, the Hanau team officials have received multiple complaints. That is why officials decided to find a solution that was not only amicable, but was one fans of both teams could live with, despite the fact that all of them were not even alive 113 years ago.
While both teams were at the top of their game when football was first finding its footing in Germany, they both have become a part of Germany’s regional leagues and have a less prestigious following and placement within the league then they did in the 19th and early 20th century. While Viktoria Berlin plays at a higher regional level, the two teams have agreed to play to settle the dispute once and for all.
Hanau is going to have to really work hard if they want to regain the “title” figuratively and their pride. They lost in an initial meeting with Viktoria Berlin, who won 3-0, earlier this month. Hanau is also still facing financial problems, yet with sponsorships more possible to attain for sports teams then they were in the 1800s, the team was able to meet up with the Berlin team and will continue to do so, in their quest to attain the victory they were robbed of all those years ago.
Football, Germany, Hanau, Viktoria Berlin, Sport, Europe
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