/ Men

"This stage belongs to the boys"

On the occasion of the Media Day for the COSY-WASCH men's national cup final on May 23, 2026, the coaches of both finalists had their say and gave an outlook on the upcoming final day of the amateurs. In the following interview, Altglienicke coach Dan Twardzik provides an insight into the decisive phase.

BFV: Dan, congratulations on reaching the COSY-WASCH national cup final. How excited are you and the team for the final?

Dan Twardzik: Definitely huge! With the season we now have behind us, the match against BFC is of course our highlight.

VSG only scored four goals in the first six competitive games of 2026. You got back on track offensively in the most recent games. What was the recipe for this lack of goals?

I think it was mainly about boosting the boys' confidence and reminding them of their abilities again. They had to regain the belief that they could put their qualities into practice on the pitch. There is a lot of potential in this team and we want to make the most of it as a coaching team.

A goalkeeper in a blue jersey leans forward and grabs a yellow soccer ball on the pitch, while another player can be seen in the background.
Dan Twardzik in a Motherwell FC shirt during a test match against Preston North End in July 2015 in Livingston. photo: Jeff Holmes/Getty Images

You can look back on an exciting playing career with spells at FC Bayern, FC Aberdeen and other stations abroad. How have these experiences shaped your career?

Very strongly. I used to be a goalkeeper and gained a lot of experience through these stations. I always had a lot of talent, but I wasn't particularly tall for a goalkeeper, and that was a bit of an obstacle in my day. Nevertheless, I wanted to prove something to myself. The stations in Scotland in particular, where very physical soccer is played, were important for this. Those two seasons really shaped me. The time in Italy, where I played less, also shaped me technically. I took a lot from all these stations for my career.

You then felt at home at VSG Altglienicke. What makes the club and the town so special for you?

Above all, the people at VSG immediately gave me a good feeling. I arrived here and felt at home straight away, even if the conditions back then weren't as professional as they are today. Nevertheless, the people around the club do a great job and you feel like you're part of a family here. A feeling that I hardly ever had at the other clubs I just mentioned. That's why I've been here for so long.

You are currently interim coach. Do you already know what will happen after the summer?

No. The absolute focus at the moment is on the remaining games, on the coming weeks with the highlight of the cup final. After that, we'll see what happens.

Six people stand in front of the entrance to Eberswalder Straße subway station and pose for a group photo. Some are wearing soccer shirts, others casual clothes.
Just like on the pitch: The cup coaches on the outside. Photo: Loredana Zafisambondaoky

The amateur final day will be broadcast nationwide on TV. How special is it for you and the team to be able to present yourselves on this stage?

I think it's extremely important for every single player. The two best teams of the cup season meet and this stage belongs to the boys so that they can show themselves. I'm also pleased that many clubs that otherwise don't have the opportunity to be on TV are visible on this stage for once.

Do you have a preferred opponent in the event that VSG qualify for the DFB Cup?

No, not really. Of course you dream of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund or, here in Berlin, Union or Hertha. But in the end, it doesn't matter who you draw. The decisive factor is winning the cup, everything else is a bonus.

This interview was recorded at this year's Media Day on April 27, 2026.

Kategorien: Men

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