class=”sc-29f61514-0 icZBHN”>
Their eyes light up as if it had just been prophesied that they would win a World Cup medal in February next year. But no, for the biathlon brothers Sebastian (25) and Gion Stalder (24) it is not yet about the big event in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic. But: about football. And about the brand new shirt they are holding in their hands.
It is the result of a two-year dream of having their own football club. At the training camp in Oberhof (De), the Swiss biathlete team spontaneously organized a kick against the Italian cross-country skiers. For sixty minutes it was about fame and honor, with Sebastian Stalder laughingly recalling: “While the Italians called in their service people and trainers, we entered the battle ourselves.” The result: a prestigious 1-0 victory for the Swiss.
“Afterwards we always joked that we should actually make sweaters,” says the eldest of the Stalder brothers. This summer the joke was turned into a tangible project. And of course the unofficial club also needed a memorable name, which is why those involved quickly agreed on “Lokomotiv Lenz”. His home base is not far from the biathlon arena in Lenzerheide, on a small piece of artificial grass in Lantsch/Lenz GR, which is used as a natural ice rink in winter.
A sewing course with mom
Gion Stalder and Niklas Hartweg (23) were behind it and designed both the shirt and the logo. Joscha Burkhalter (27) then took a crash sewing course with his mother and completed the chic, light blue textile. When you look at it, one question immediately arises: were the biathletes inspired by Manchester City in their design? “It could be,” says Hartweg, smiling.
The Swiss, who was most successful last winter with two individual World Cup podiums, explains that it was mainly about the aesthetics – and less about the love for the Skyblues. If Hartweg had to choose one club, “it would be Bayern Munich.” The hearts of the Stalder brothers and sisters from Wald ZH now clearly beat for the FCZ.
Almost all 50 sweaters ordered were gone in no time. “We didn’t think it would be so well received. Everyone wanted one thing: the women’s team and the supervisors were also enthusiastic,” says Gion Stalder, who adds: “We promptly used the proceeds to treat ourselves to training vests.”
This was also possible because a main sponsor was found in former cross-country skier Battista Bovisi (61), whose son Sandro (26) is also part of the Swiss biathlon team. Sebastian Stalder explains: “We just really wanted a print on the sweater. It wasn’t about the money for us; We would have done it for a penny.” But the amateur footballers were lucky: Battista Bovisi was more generous.
Already a star on his chest
However, a team photo in the new look has not yet been taken. This is also because kicking becomes less and less common as winter approaches. And above all: more careful. The World Cup starts in Östersund (Sd) at the end of November.
However, the goal is clear: the locomotive must start moving. Other countries will be challenged again in future training camps. Just like two years ago.
That prestigious victory still resonates today – and is even immortalized on the jersey. He is the reason there is already a star above the logo. While professional football normally requires a world title or winning ten championships, for biathletes Oberhof’s one legendary victory is enough.
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
