Matthias Saft is actually the stadium announcer of FC Puchheim. But even in football-free time, he can't take his hands off the microphone.
BY DIETER METZLER
Puchheim - Comment on a game by the Puchheim footballers in front of 500 to 600 spectators. "This is my dream. That would be a show, ”says 29-year-old Matthias Saft. Since he had to hang up his soccer shoes after two serious injuries, he has really been working as a stadium announcer at FC Puchheim.
"I look forward to the continuation of the game"
His last assignment as such was some time ago. Last year he last sat in the speaker cabin and commented on a game by the current league leader in the A-Class. "Not only the footballers are excited about the continuation of the game in September, I am too," says Saft.
Matthias Saft now has his own podcast
But the corona forced break cannot stop the 29-year-old from his passion. So that the time without football is not that boring, Saft and the coach of the second team, Markus Kubick, launched the "Soccast". In a 30- to 50-minute podcast, which Saft has affectionately given the generic term "long-term mailing", the two talk to different guests about football. Even Mayor Norbert Seidl was already a guest. The film was shot in the clubhouse's beer garden on Father's Day, with the phrase pig bringing in 120 euros. The guests had spoken too often in footballer phrases. "We will donate the amount to a good cause."
It is probably unique in the district that not only the first men's team at FC Puchheim has a stadium spokesman. "I started with our female elf," Saft recalls the first "attempts" four years ago. The commentary on the games then took on proportions that extended down to the D youth. “It is a lot of fun for me, and the spectators, especially in the youth area, are surprised and enthusiastic about the service. "And when you are also praised by the opponents' supporters, it's a great feeling."
As a stadium announcer, you also have to prepare well
Matthias Saft doesn't just sit in the speaker booth before the game and start talking. Every time he prepares himself for the match. And even if the games take place on the artificial turf pitch, he quickly grabs his equipment and moves there. Even on the opponent's place when the women's team played the crucial game for promotion to the district league in Otterfing, Saft commented on the atmosphere. "Almost home game atmosphere."
The job of the stadium spokesman is also tricky. "I have my problems with the name of the TSV West referee, Chrisowalandis Kofidis," Saft laughs even today when he remembers his three mistakes in presenting the impartial. "Then I just briefly announced referee Chris. The West Referee acknowledges this with a smile in the direction of my speaker booth whenever he whistles with us. "
The juice comes out big when the annual visit of a US women's and men's team is due in the summer. "Playing the US, German and Bavarian anthem creates a real goosebump feeling for the teams and the spectators," says Saft, who also creates the atmosphere at major events such as the Merkur or Sparkasse Cup. He has to do without these events this year. That still doesn't silence him.
A podcast is said to make football-free time more bearable