The 1997 cup final in Berlin was the last time that Giovane Elber wore the VfB colours – also putting an end to the infamous “Magische Dreieck” (magic triangle) with Fredi Bobic and Krassimir Balakov. Elber moved on to FC Bayern and the “Magische Dreieck” into the VfB history books.

“Magische Dreieck” combines to score eight

On Monday evening, the legendary trio rejoined to participate in a friendly game on behalf of the Giovane-Elber-Foundation. In front of a 1,500 strong crowd in Schorndorf, the once prolific threesome joined forces again for ‘Elber & Friends’ against a team made up of top chefs. At the end of two thirty minute periods, the Brazilian strikers team were 9-2 winners, thanks to goals from Elber (5), Fredi Bobic (2) and Krassimir Balakov (1).
During the game, VfB keeper Sven Ulreich functioned as coach for Elber’s side: “I was happy to play the team assistant role. I have to ensure our Director of Sport stuck to his training programme over the summer,” joked the 23 year old to vfb.tv.