FC Saarbrücken Advances to State Cup Semi-finals
FC Saarbrücken made it through to the state cup semi-finals with a 2-0 win against association league leaders Preussen Merchweiler. But there was more to the story than just their victory on the field.
Horror Accident Overshadows FCS Victory
Shortly after the break, Saarbrücken’s Justin Steinkötter (23) stopped Preussen defender Lucas Becker on the halfway line. Becker lost his balance, hit his arm on the adjoining cobblestones on the artificial turf and suffered a severe open fracture in his forearm. Steinkötter took a quick look and then pulled his jersey over his head in shock.
FCS trainer Rüdiger Ziehl (45) witnessed the accident and recalled, “It happened a few meters in front of our bank. He lost his balance, then slipped again on that cobblestone surface and fell flat on his arm. It looked anything but nice.”
Becker, who was also the underdog’s assistant trainer, had to be treated for more than a few minutes and was able to get up the box behind a privacy screen infusions. In the 67th minute, he was carried off by Markus Pahl (49), the chief physician for orthopedics and trauma surgery who was able to take the first measures directly.
FC Saarbrücken’s captain Manuel Zeitz (32) and striker Marvin Cuni (21) were the only two players who remained in the starting XI when the team played against Essen on March 23rd, 2023. Despite changing the team to nine positions, FCS won 3-0 in the league. In the end, FCS deservedly won against the bravely fighting seventh division side after goals from Cuni (37th) and Steinkötter (83rd).
