2023-07-25 10:33:42
Where otherwise only Bundesliga or international matches take place, the biggest influencer football tournament of the year takes place on Sunday.
Germany’s biggest social media stars compete against each other in the “Battle of the Socials” in the MEWA Arena in Mainz. The tournament consists of four influencer teams. Two semi-finals will be played from 1 p.m., with the two winners deciding who wins the tournament in the final. The spectacle can be seen at the BILD twitch channel (07/30/23 live from 11 a.m.).
In order to snatch the trophy, Team Knossi – led by entertainer and streamer Jens Knossalla (37) – came up with something very special: Ex-Bundesliga coach Manuel Baum (43) should join Captain Knossi’s team, who also Internet greats like the YouTubers Inscope21, Jan von den Freekickerz and Hugo count, help to win the title. In addition, Knossi won Deutsche Vermögensberatung (DVAG) as the main and shirt sponsor for his team.
Manuel Baum (left) and Knossi discuss before training
Photo: Agardy
Baum is the youth boss at Bundesliga club RB Leipzig. As a coach, he challenged the Knossi team last Sunday at the SC Baden-Baden sports facility.
Whether it’s technique exercises, sprint tests or the training game: Baum’s practice units pushed his protégés to their limits. Exhausted and sitting on the ground, they took a break from training at the tactics board next to the field. “We are influencers. You can’t expect us to do Ronaldo today,” groaned Knossi, who was kneeling on the plastic track, completely out of breath. Tree grinning: “That’s F-youth. Nine-year-olds do that normally.” After the tactical meeting, the team went back to the training ground.
Baum and his influencer kickers at the tactics meeting
Photo: Agard
Inscope21 laughing: “The training is going well. But I don’t see any strengths in us. I think we will at least be the most likeable team on Sunday. Football isn’t quite my area, but it’s going to be a great number.”
Inscope21 (Nicolas Lazaridis) cut a fine figure in his dribbling practice.
Photo: Agardy
In the subsequent 1-on-1, the influencers dueled in a confined space, gave each other nothing and pushed each other hard again. In the final training game against the B-class team from SC Baden-Baden, Baum, who was in goal himself, used Knossi as a libero and was satisfied with the performance of his captain. Baum: “He ran a few balls behind the chain. We found a good position for him there.”
In a 1-on-1 game, Knossi lost out despite a passionate fight against Hugo
Photo: Agard
And “Radio Knossi”, as Baum calls him because of his many instructions on the pitch, has found pleasure in his role as a clearer. Knossi: “Speed is not my thing. But I keep the guys happy, that’s important too. Above all, we have fun!”
Baum’s conclusion: “Even if he isn’t the strongest runner, one has to say that Knossi directs the boys outstandingly. It was really fun and I’m really looking forward to next week. We see that we will get the pot.”
Ex-goalkeeper Manuel Baum was in the goal himself in the final game
Photo: Agardy
At the “Battle of the Socials” Team Knossi wants to win the tournament on Sunday
Photo: Agardy
Knossi: “I think we’re going to be good on Sunday with what we just scored here. My team is willing, they’re all up for it.”
Tickets for the “Battle of the Socials” are available from the official ticket shop. (Advertisement)
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