ECKENTAL, Germany: Pierre Kaiser has truly mastered the art of ball juggling. And when it comes to the classic rondo drill, the 35-year-old is right in the thick of it. What makes it special: in 2007, Pierre lost his leg in a train accident. Since then, football has become his greatest passion.
The social worker now showcases that passion weekly with Bavarian club TSV Brand’s second team, where his remarkable determination has earned him a spot in regular league play this season.
“I moved out here, to the countryside with my wife, and our neighbor came over and said, ‘Oh, you played amputee football? Well, you’re coming along to training’,” Kaiser recalled. “At first, I didn’t really want to, but he kept asking, and eventually I joined the guys — and they were just an incredibly friendly bunch. It was so much fun.”
His impact extends beyond mere participation. Coach Ulf Forster highlights Kaiser’s tangible contribution during his debut appearance.
“He already got a run-out from us once, and everyone was absolutely thrilled. He basically helped set up the 2-1 goal by unsettling the defense,” Forster said. “That’s what led to the goal — the opponents just didn’t know how to respond.”
Kaiser’s commitment shines through in every training session, though he acknowledges certain limitations remain — matching teammates’ speed and enduring full matches present ongoing challenges. His crutches, meanwhile, follow specific rules: if he deliberately blocks the ball with them, play stops as with a handball.
Between amateur league matches, Kaiser competes at the elite level of German amputee football.
“In four or five weeks, the amputee football Bundesliga kicks off again. There are five teams competing. We have five matchdays, and the champion is decided through a playoff in October,” he explained.
While continuing his Wednesday training routine with TSV Brand, Kaiser is simultaneously working to establish an amputee football team in nearby Eckental — because football, after all, is for everyone.
One-legged footballer shines in German amateur league
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One-legged footballer shines in German amateur league
- The social worker now showcases that passion weekly with Bavarian club TSV Brand’s second team
- Coach Ulf Forster highlights Kaiser’s tangible contribution during his debut appearance
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s son could lift a trophy for AC Milan at Super Cup
- The younger Ibrahimovic could make his debut in one of the Rossoneri’s two matches in Saudi Arabia
- “They have good skills,” Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said
MILAN: An Ibrahimovic could be lifting a trophy for AC Milan on Monday.
The talismanic Zlatan Ibrahimovic hasn’t come out of retirement but his 19-year-old son, Maximilian, has been called up by Milan for the Italian Super Cup.
Maximilian Ibrahimovic is one of six players from Milan’s reserve team who traveled to Saudi Arabia with the senior squad amid an ever lengthening injury list for the club.
His father scored 93 goals in 163 appearances over two spells at Milan, winning two Serie A titles and the Italian Super Cup.
The younger Ibrahimovic could make his debut in one of the Rossoneri’s two matches in Saudi Arabia.
“They have good skills,” Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said on Wednesday. “I wanted to reward them for what they are doing in training.”
Milan, the Italian Cup runner-up, face Serie A champion Napoli on Thursday. Italian Cup winner Bologna play Serie A runner-up Inter Milan the following day, with the final on Monday.
Out of the four teams, only Inter won at the weekend, beating Genoa to go top of Serie A after Milan and Napoli both dropped points.
Milan were held to a 2-2 draw by Sassuolo — the third promoted team they have failed to beat this season, after a shock defeat at home to Cremonese on the opening day and a draw against Pisa.
“We should be angry but not demoralized,” Allegri said.
Milan managed to end the round in second place, a point below Inter and a one above Napoli, which lost at Udinese. Bologna lost at home to Juventus.
Despite their struggles against the promoted clubs, Milan have managed to beat the other teams in the top four this season, including Napoli.
“Tomorrow is a different match, it’s a knockout game where the aim is to get to the final,” Allegri said. “Napoli are a very strong team and they will be angry after the loss to Udinese.
“When there are difficult moments, (Napoli coach) Antonio Conte always manages to get the best out of his teams.”
Milan won the Italian Super Cup for the eighth time last season, beating Inter in the final to end a run of three straight titles for the Nerazzurri.
Napoli have won the competition twice — in 1990 and 2014. Bologna, which ended a 51-year wait for a major trophy with the Italian Cup, have never lifted the Super Cup.
