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200 wins – A TSG milestone
The starting point
It was almost 17 years ago that TSG Hoffenheim made their debut in the Bundesliga. TSG travelled to Energie Cottbus in their opening game and immediately got off to a winning start. Vedad Ibisevic (2) and Demba Ba scored the goals for Hoffenheim in that 3-0 victory on 16 August 2008. It was the first of their 200 Bundesliga wins.
Successful high-tempo football
It was the first home game against Borussia Dortmund, who had appointed Jürgen Klopp as their new coach – and a new style was on display: "We had BVB with their backs to the wall with our high-tempo football," said TSG shareholder Dietmar Hopp, recalling a sensational 4-1 victory on Matchday 5 of the 2008/09 campaign that was secured by goals from Vedad Ibisevic (2), Sejad Salihovic and Carlos Eduardo. Hopp continued: "It was perhaps the perfect game. That victory finally put us on the German football map."
Personal premiere
"For me, the 3-2 victory against VfL Wolfsburg in our first Bundesliga season was my personal highlight. It was my first time working alone as the kit manager at a home game and the team made the day even sweeter with their win," recalled kit manager Christian Seyfert. TSG took the lead against Wolfsburg on two occasions, but the visitors hit back twice. Chinedu Obasi ultimately scored the winning goal in Mannheim. "The atmosphere was unbelievable," Seyfert said.
Stoppage-time ecstasy
TSG's 50th win came in their fifth season. Hoffenheim ran out 3-2 victors over FC Schalke 04 in November 2012. It looked set to end in a draw for a long time, only for Sven Schipplock to pop up with a winner in stoppage time to give TSG some breathing space in the battle against relegation.
Emotional penalty escape
In May 2013, TSG Hoffenheim had their backs to the wall and needed a win against Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund on the final day of the season to avoid direct relegation and climb up into the relegation/promotion play-off place. "We were actually already relegated, but then Sejad Salihović saved us with two very late penalties. In the relegation/promotion play-off, we defended our place in the division. The 2-1 victory in Dortmund was the most important win that I've experienced," said Heinz Seyfert, a TSG legend as well as the kit manager and a staff member at Hoffenheim.
Double cause for celebration
You have to celebrate at every opportunity: TSG Hoffenheim's 100th Bundesliga victory was not only a special one because it was a milestone in the top flight, but also because it was the first victory against FC Bayern Munich in TSG Hoffenheim's club history. On 4 April 2017, TSG beat the German record champions 1-0 thanks a goal from Andrej Kramarić.
Oktoberfest celebrations
One player who has experienced many victories with TSG Hoffenheim is Sebastian Rudy. The former midfielder has particularly fond memories of one triumph: "My biggest highlight was our first win in Munich. We won 2-1 away to FC Bayern thanks to a brace from Sargis Adamyan. It's something special when you win in Munich; not every player gets to experience that," Rudy explained.
Silent landmark
Only a handful of people were able to celebrate TSG Hoffenheim's 150th Bundesliga victory live at the stadium. The 2-1 win away to Borussia Mönchengladbach was played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic. Thanks to two late goals from Andrej Kramarić and Ryan Sessegnon, TSG beat the Foals and claimed their 150th Bundesliga victory shortly before Christmas 2020.
Redemption on the penultimate matchday
The 2022/23 season was a rollercoaster ride for TSG Hoffenheim. After making a strong start, TSG slipped further and further down the table and were even languishing in last place at one point. But on the penultimate matchday, they managed to seal their survival thanks to a 4-2 win against Union Berlin. "We were sweating right up until the last minute, but in the end we managed to avoid relegation in injury time after being in a difficult spot," said TSG Hoffenheim kit manager and staff member Timo Seyfert.
Good things come to those who wait
TSG had to wait a long time for their 200th victory, but they got it at the fifth attempt. The 2-0 victory – which came courtesy of Andrej Kramarić's brace against 1. FSV Mainz 05 – was not only a big step towards staying in the league, but also a milestone. Hoffenheim also kept a clean sheet for the first time in 34 home games. Here's to more of that – and the next 200 wins...
