From the regional competition to the European Championship?: The fantastic rise of Union striker Behrens

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It is currently the 87th minute at Lincoln Financial Field between Germany and Mexico in Philadelphia. Kevin Behrens (32) gives teammate Jamal Musiala (20) a high five and fulfills a childhood dream: playing in the DFB shirt. Five years ago this idea was still a utopia, when the strong air striker played in the regional league for 1. FC Saarbrücken.

Behrens’ rapid rise is almost unprecedented in the Bundesliga. The man from Bremen went through the youth department at Werder, but did not end up in the professional team; via Wilhelmshaven we go to Hannover. But even then, it’s not enough for the fan base. The regional clubs Alemannia Aachen, Rot-Weiss Essen and Saarbrücken in the fourth highest division follow. In 2018, Behrens is 27 years old, the Bundesliga, let alone the national team, is far away. This was followed by the move to Sandhausen in the 2nd Bundesliga and thus to professional football – a milestone.

“Thor” fulfills his first dream

In the Electoral Palatinate, ‘Thor’, as he was long called because of his long blond hair, is finally catching on. In 2021, Urs Fischer of all people will call, Behrens will finally play in the Bundesliga at the age of 30 – a first dream comes true. “If I’m honest, I didn’t even think I would make it to the Bundesliga,” Behrens said modestly during the American tour.

Suddenly the stadiums are no longer called Tivoli or Ludwigspark Stadium, but Signal Iduna Park, Allianz Arena or, in the case of Champions League qualification, even Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.

“Shocked and surprised”

Under former DFB coach Hansi Flick (58), Behrens’ name was already in the media in response to the goal drought, but was not called up. Flick is followed by Julian Nagelsmann (36) and the neo-coach immediately contacts Behrens. He was “shocked and surprised” by his call. And Nagelsmann himself was also irritated and checked several times whether Union’s Kevin Behrens was really on the phone. The national coach apparently initially had the wrong number. The line-up for the American tour follows.

An anecdote that fits Behrens’ special career. But the short stint in Philadelphia could be the start of a late career with the national team. “He’s a good guy who always wants to win. “He binds a lot of players in the penalty area,” says Nagelsmann, praising his new striker.

At the European Championships at home in 2024?

When asked about the DFB nomination, Behrens said: “I am very proud of the fact that I never gave up and always worked on myself.” This work ethic and pride make him a real possibility for the German home championship in 2024.

But first, more Champions League nights await Behrens under Urs Fischer. There are also other dreams that need to be fulfilled there and possibly at the European Championships at home. One thing seems certain: everything is possible for the Bremen resident.

Source : Blick