When VfB Stuttgart Women defeated Eintracht Frankfurt II 4-3 on Sunday, 12-year-old Habibe König was over the moon. Alongside her best friend and little brother, who are also big VfB supporters, she had been cheering on the Bundesliga 2 frontrunners from the first minute to the last. “It was great fun and we were really happy that they were able to win such an exciting game,” she said.
Habibe, whose father is German and mother is Japanese, first found out about the club several years ago, when VfB visited Hiroshima during a tour of Japan. After meeting the players in person at Peace Park – a moment that left a lasting impression – she later attended a match involving VfB’s Under-21 team, where she happened to meet Japanese-born defender Anrie Chase. Habibe has followed Stuttgart ever since and can’t seem to get enough of the wonderful atmosphere on matchdays.
Meeting her heroes
Habibe learned about VfB’s women’s team through her Japanese school. During one of the school’s sports days, she got to meet midfielder Yuka Hirano and forward Haruka Osawa – and was immediately awestruck. “They’re really kind, pretty and funny,” she said with a grin. Since then, Habibe has been keeping track of VfB Women’s games on social media, often with the help of her mum. She continues to look up to Hirano and Osawa, who might even inspire her to start playing football again herself.
After Sunday’s game, Habibe, her best friend and her brother were given another opportunity to meet the players in person. She had another “very funny and interesting” chat with Hirano and Osawa, who told the youngsters about their everyday lives, their favourite foods and what they particularly like about Germany.
Huge excitement
Habibe is already looking forward to 21 March, when VfB Women are due to face Mainz at the MHP Arena. She is determined to do everything she can to attend that special game. After all, being back at the stadium and cheering on her heroes are what makes football so exhilarating for her.