Actually, he should have led the Red-Whites on Sunday (2 p.m.) as captain against Prussia Münster. But because Dennis Grote (35) asked the Ruhrpott-Klub during the winter break about the possibility of an early termination of his contract (expired at the end of the season anyway) in order to be able to sign with the pursuer for a longer period of time, he was completely shaved without further ado (BILD reported). Banned from Essen for a change within the regional league, the strong running and fighting “six” has meanwhile landed at Austria’s second division side Wacker Innsbruck (table 7th).
IMAGE: Will you still follow the fourth division hit – maybe even live on Hafenstrasse?
big: “Of course I’ll watch this cracker. Although I won’t be in the stadium. Saturday I have my first competitive game for Wacker in Karpfenberg. So I sit down at my PC on Sunday afternoon after warm-up training and watch the broadcast.”
IMAGE: With what feelings?
grote: “You will be a bit mixed. But first and foremost full of excitement. The duels between Rot Weiss and Prussia have always been something special. In the current situation – first against second – anyway.”
IMAGE: You wore the RWE jersey yourself in the first half of the season, but you also know and appreciate Münster. Who is your clear favourite?
big: “There’s no such thing! Both teams have plenty of quality, are ambitious and roughly on an equal footing. As in the first leg. Prussia was significantly better in the first half, Essen in the second. We only won 3-2 back then because the Munsters overpowered at first. In the end, her strength was a bit gone.”
IMAGE: So are you betting on a tie?
big: “I don’t type at all! Even if the home advantage – 10,000 fans are finally allowed again – speaks for the red and white. In Simon Engelmann they also have a top scorer who can never be completely eliminated and who has also scored 13 goals again this season. Münster, on the other hand, has an extremely strong defense and, with only 16 goals conceded, they have conceded fewer than Essen.”
During his long career, Dennis Grote wore the Prussian jersey in 94 competitive games, scoring 17 goals. He was on the ball 81 times (11 goals) for RWE.Photo: picture alliance / photo booth
IMAGE: Be honest – as a former Essen resident, are you keeping your fingers crossed for RWE?
big: “I played with these guys until recently and I know how hard they work to get promoted. It is logical that there is still a close bond. But I used to like playing for the Prussians and I have a good relationship with sporting director Peter Niemeyer. If they prevail, I would be happy for them too. But when it comes to the question of promotion, I miss out on one aspect…”
IMAGE: Which?
big: “That there is not only the duel between Essen and Münster. With Fortuna Cologne, a third, extremely consistent candidate is in the running. That’s why there’s still no preliminary decision to be made on Hafenstrasse on Sunday. Although it would be difficult for the Prussians if they lost. They would then be eight points behind – that would be quite a plank…
IMAGE: How are things going for you personally?
big: “I’ll be playing for Wacker until the summer. The team gave me a great reception, the first few weeks were really fun. In addition, Innsbruck is a great city, framed by the mountains. In the next few days I’ll be moving into a small apartment of my own here so that my wife and daughters, who are unfortunately dependent on the school holidays, can come and see me over Easter. I can’t say what’s going to happen next season. But I’m in great shape and I want to play some more football.”