FC Schalke 04 - Page 3 - TalkSoccer

**Pennywise** · 18-12-2006, 10:41 PM

Schalke04 is the only team in Germany I really hate.

Why? Because of their dirty way of getting players to the club on free transfer.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 18-12-2006, 10:43 PM

On which signings do you base yourself to say that ?

**Pennywise** · 18-12-2006, 10:49 PM

All the Bremen players they've 'stolen' the last years.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 25-12-2006, 02:45 PM

Schalke are having a great season, can they continue winning and remain in 1st place ?

**Oliver_Kahn** · 27-12-2006, 01:29 PM

VfB's "Magic Triangle" made up of Giovane Elber, Krassimir Balakov and Fredi Bobic became a legend. bundesliga.de takes a journey into time.

VfB Stuttgart shone in the late 1990's. The so-called "Magic Triangle” of a Brazilian, a Bulgarian and a German offered fans plenty of thrills and helped the club to international success.

Fans look back fondly to the days when the trio sparkled, as does Fredi Bobic: "It was a special time. It was the best period in my career to play with these two guys, with Giovane Elber and Krassimir Balakov. It was not only about the football, we were friends. We're still friends.”

Different languages, great understanding

They may have spoken three different languages, but Balakov, Elber and Bobic were on the same wavelength both on and off the pitch.

Their friendship was responsible for some classic football, but there was a method to the madness, as Fredi Bobic recalls: "We played one touch football together. Balakov was the head of this triangle. He was the playmaker and Elber and me played as forwards, and we scored some fantastic goals together.”

"It was total football"

Hansi Müller, a former Stuttgart player, explains: "These three total footballers understood each other instinctively, and they complemented each other. Up front, Fredi and Giovane were different characters, and they made their runs. Balakov was behind them. He enjoyed great coverage from defensive midfielder Gerhard Poschner. And it simply functioned. They weren't just the "magic triangle", they also stamped their style on the game. They had combinations, great goals, fun, cheeky plays and surprises. It was total football.”

Giovane Elber remembers: "We gave it our all, and that was respected. I believe the fans noticed that. I played heart and soul for the club. I wasn't a player who was just looking for the money. Personally, what happened on the pitch was important. And for me, it was most important to have fun.”

Great rivalry with Bayern

The "magic triangle" had the most fun annoying FC Bayern. Clashes between the two clubs were a must-see for all fans, and great plays were almost guaranteed, as Fredi Bobic makes clear: "It was always a big derby when Stuttgart played against Bayern Munich. Every time it was very special. They were derbys with a lot of passion.”

So much enjoyment, so much passion and so many great ways to celebrate scoring! Stuttgart fans have been dreaming of seeing stuff like that for a decade now, and fans will never forget the late 1990's, and Stuttgart's amazing "Magic Triangle”.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 04-01-2007, 02:59 PM

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Originally Posted by Oliver_Kahn

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Mirko Slomka's Schalke squad received a boost when the Bundesliga title pretenders agreed to sign Brazilian defender Gustavo on Monday.

The South American will complete his move from Parana Clube on January 1 in a deal that will see him stay at the Veltins Arena until the end of the 2008-09 season.

"We are happy that he has chosen us," said Schalke general manager Andreas Muller.

"Gustavo has a lot of potential, is very athletic and strong in the air."

The signing gives Schalke's title bid a real boost as they attempt to gain an advantage over leaders Werder Bremen, with whom they are level on points heading into the winter break.

Schalke recruit Gustavo - Football - Eurosport

Brazilian defender Gustavo does not want to play for FC Schalke 04. He wants to stay in his home country because of familiar reasons.

"We noticed that and we must and will live with the player's decision. He was supposed to join us only in the summer, but he was a firm part of our plans", Andreas Müller said.

"Valid contract"

"We do point out, however, that we still have a valid contract with Gustavo and he can't play somewhere else. Everything else lies in the future", Schalke's sporting director added.

The Brazilian had travelled to Schalke in December. He watched the Ruhr derby against Borussia Dortmund, went through a medical and signed his contract.

"The contract runs until June 30th 2009. We won't resolve it at the moment, but await further developments", Müller said.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 06-01-2007, 01:01 PM

Bad news for Timo Kunert.

The FC Schalke 04 midfielder has broken his left hand and will be out for an estimated four weeks.

"He suffered the injury in the first training session on Thursday. He will undergo surgery as soon as the swelling has gone back", club doctor Dr. Thorsten Rarreck said.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 11-01-2007, 01:51 PM

Goals from Christian Pander and Gustavo Varela brought the "Royal Blues" a 2-1 win at fourth-tier outfit KFC Uerdingen on Wednesday.

"It was a good opening warm-up match for my players against very committed opposition. Despite the conditions it was a good game with lots of chances. In view of our heavy workload in training I'm satisfied with the performance", explained head coach Mirko Slomka after the match.

The first two chances fell to the "Royal Blues", with Kevin Kuranyi and Fabian Ernst narrowly missing the target in the opening five minutes.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 13-01-2007, 02:13 PM

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Schalke have refuted reports that Turkish international midfielder Hamit Altintop is set to join Galatasaray.

Royal Blues general manager Andreas Muller denied that the 24-year-old would be moving to Istanbul this month.

"Hamit will not be leaving during the winter break," said Muller.

"We have received neither a written nor verbal enquiry from another club or an agent."

Schalke have offered Altintop a contract through to 2011 and Muller hinted that the offer could be improved further if the player finds top form during the rest of the season.

"Hamit is an important player for us. He comes from Gelsenkirchen and his heart is at this club," he said.

"He knows that if he performs well during the second half of the season, then the last word on his new contract has yet to be spoken."

Sky Sports - The Best Sport Coverage From Around The World

**Oliver_Kahn** · 18-01-2007, 02:04 PM

FC Schalke 04, currently second in the Bundesliga, left it late to win a friendly at Regional League South outfit SSV Reutlingen.

Two strikes from defenders followed by two neatly worked goals in the closing stages saw the "Royal Blues" to a 4-1 win at third-division side SSV Reutlingen on Wednesday evening.

The 10,000 fans saw a game that was played at a fast pace right from the beginning and almost resembled a cup-tie.

Rodriguez opener

And it was Schalke, skippered by Kevin Kuranyi, who got off to the better start, Dario Rodriguez heading Pander's left-sided free-kick into the far corner after 11 minutes.

But the home side were not long in replying, and just sixty seconds later Christian Haas converted Sasa Janic's corner for the equaliser...

**Oliver_Kahn** · 19-01-2007, 03:57 PM

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Schalke 04 will not turn to the transfer market in order to sign a replacement for departed keeper Frank Rost, having decided to keep faith in 18-year-old Ralf Fahrmann as their new reserve keeper.

It was widely expected that the club would look for an experienced shot-stopper as backup for new number Manuel Neuer, but coach Mirko Slomka has now revealed that he has full confidence in Under 19 international Fahrmann.

"Ralf has really proved himself over the past weeks and established himself as our number two. We won't sign anybody else," stressed Slomka.

The Schalke coach caused a massive surprise this season by making 20-year-old Neuer his new first-choice at the expense of long-serving Rost.

While Rost used the winter transfer window to sign for Hamburg, Slomka will now start the second half of the season with the youngest keeping duo in the Bundesliga.

Sky Sports - The Best Sport Coverage From Around The World

**Oliver_Kahn** · 20-01-2007, 12:39 PM

FC Schalke 04 have rewarded two promising youngsters with professional contracts. One goalkeeper and one defender have put pen to paper.

Schalke are continuing their policy of recruiting talented young players from their own youth scheme.

Contracts until 2009

In Ralf Fährmann and Benedikt Höwedes two members of the U19 German championship-winning side have been handed professional contracts.

Fährmann has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal that will tie him to the club until June 30th 2009, while Höwedes has put pen to paper on a three-year contract that will take effect on July 1st.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 27-01-2007, 12:30 PM

Schalke head coach Mirko Slomka had to do without Fabian Ernst during the training session on Thursday. Ernst was injured and couldn't practice.

The 27-year old has an injury to the little toe of his right foot. The circumstances of the injury were odd, because Ernst was hurt in his apartment, not on the training field.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 27-01-2007, 12:31 PM

Schalke head coach Mirko Slomka had to do without Fabian Ernst during the training session on Thursday. Ernst was injured and couldn't practice.

The 27-year old has an injury to the little toe of his right foot. The circumstances of the injury were odd, because Ernst was hurt in his apartment, not on the training field.

The boot pinches

The midfielder stubbed his toe on a couch. "He injured himself by running through his apartment", said Slomka, smiling. For the player however, this was a frustrating turn of events. The toe swelled so much that he could not put his boot on. Slomka hopes "that the situation will be taken care of by tomorrow and that he can train again�.

In the meantime, another player has returned to team training. Zlatan Bajramovic made his first training appearance after pulling a muscle in his buttocks in a friendly against FC Zenit St. Petersburg on Sunday.

Will Bordon return?

Marcelo Bordon also appears ready to play. On Wednesday, the Brazilian defender had to stop training again because of muscle problems. Mirko Slomka assumes, however, that Bordon will be able to play on Saturday.

"The squad is coming together again", said the Schalke head coach, who expects another player to return on Friday. Timo Kunert, who has been out for weeks with a broken hand, was approved for play and is to resume training again with the team. Only two other players are out: Gerald Asamoah (broken leg) and Markus Heppke (ruptured medial ligament).