They started out as SC Empor Rostock in 1954 (actually the team was stolen from BSG Empor Lauter, as the commie bureaucrats simply ordered the team moved), and had several respectable finishes in the DDR-Oberliga, including three straight runner-up seasons 1961-63. Then in 1965, the soccer players left Empor and formed FC Hansa. The most famous player was undoubtedly Joachim Streich, with 102 GDR caps between 1969-84. The GDR years were not an unqualified success for Hansa, which was sort of an outsider. They wer relegated to the 2nd division DDR-Liga, spending 3 seasons there in the mid 1970s. The only great moment in GDR soccer came after re-unification, when Hansa won the last title (although it was now the NOFV Oberliga) among the GDR clubs. This had the advantage of a direct seed into the Bundesliga. Despite a good effort, Hansa finished last, but confounded the critcs by staying alive in the 2.Liga, while other ex-GDR clubs were floundering. Then a sensational 2.Liga title in 1995, and they've managed to stay in the top flight ever since, the only success story of ex-GDR teams.
The success of Hansa has been based on good coaching and enthusiastic play. However, solid management has been the real key to success, which so far has put them apart from other ex-GDR clubs. The club has done well to identify young talent (usually from East Germany), and bring them along nicely. Although most of them end up leaving the club for greener pastures, Hansa has managed to maintain a high standard of play.
1998-99 looked grim for the Ostsee squad, as they looked sure to take the drop by midseason. However, some superhuman efforts in the 2nd half managed to get the club back on track and assure top-flight soccer in the former GDR for another year. The next year was simply more of the same, as Hansa squeaked through on a thin margin. Every season seems to be a replay, but a tough as nails disposition had so far allowed them to stay up. The jig was up in 2005, and it remained to be seen if the east's top club could regroup. Relegation meant financial stress as well. From 2005-07, (relegation plus two 2.Liga seasons) Hansa reported a combined loss of approximately 3.4 million euros. The return to the Bundesliga would hopefully straighten things out, as the club predicted a profit of 1.1 million (on 56 million turnover) for 2007-08. Given Hansa's resources, they are likely be be an elevator club bouncing between the 1st-2nd divisions...
2010 proved to be Rostock's worst season ever, as they finished 16th and then subsequently lost the playoffs against Ingolstadt. This meant that Hansa was down to the 3rd division for the first time in history.
Fullname |
Fußball-Club Hansa Rostock e.V.
City |
Rostock (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern). Pop:
199,000 (2002).
| Address |
Kopernikusstraße 17a, 18057 Rostock | Phone: (0381) 383-2390 Colors |
blue shirts with red trim, blue shorts. Also white.
| Nickname |
Die Hanseaten, Die Ostseer
| Stadium |
Ostseestadion. Capacity: 30,000 (20,000 seats) | Built in 1954, the Ostseestadion was refurbished in 2001. Occasionally big matches have been played in Berlin. Tickets |
Hard to get, given the small stadium and large following. 8-36
euros (2004). An
interesting sideline is that a couple of years ago, due to fan behavior,
Hansa was banned from playing at home, and instead had to play those home
games in Berlin. This "punishment" meant that instead of crowds of 25,000
in Rostock, they packed in 60,000 in Berlin.
| Supporters |
Very dedicated support. Flagship of northern East Germany. Averaged over
22,000 in 2004.
| Friends |
|
Foes |
In general, Hansa is does not draw support from "traditional" sectors of
the ex-GDR, as the club was never in the "favored" status. In addition,
they have rather hostile relations with most western teams as well.
| Heroes |
Some 21 GDR internationals, among others, Thomas
Doll and
Gerd Kische (63 caps in the 70s). A few German internationals, such
as Oliver Neuville, Marco Rehmer and Rene Schneider. However
the greatest player was GDR international Joachim Streich, with 102
caps and 55 goals - both records. | Zeroes |
| Beer |
Lübzer Pils , from the
small town of Lübz, SE of Schwerin.
|
Pub Grub |
| The Net |
Official site:
www.fc-hansa.de
| |
Recent History: -------------- 1965-66 (*) DDR-Oberliga 4th 1966-67 (*) DDR-Oberliga 10th 1967-68 (*) DDR-Oberliga 2nd 1968-69 (*) DDR-Oberliga 4th 1969-70 (*) DDR-Oberliga 12th 1970-71 (*) DDR-Oberliga 8th 1971-72 (*) DDR-Oberliga 9th 1972-73 (*) DDR-Oberliga 10th 1973-74 (*) DDR-Oberliga 7th 1974-75 (*) DDR-Oberliga 13th 1975-76 (**) DDR-Liga, St.A 1st 1976-77 (*) DDR-Oberliga 14th 1977-78 (**) DDR-Liga, St.A 1st 1978-79 (*) DDR-Oberliga 14th 1979-80 (**) DDR-Liga, St.A 1st 1980-81 (*) DDR-Oberliga 10th 1981-82 (*) DDR-Oberliga 8th 1982-83 (*) DDR-Oberliga 8th 1983-84 (*) DDR-Oberliga 9th 1984-85 (*) DDR-Oberliga 10th 1985-86 (*) DDR-Oberliga 13th 1986-87 (**) DDR-Liga, St.A 1st 1987-88 (*) DDR-Oberliga 9th 1988-89 (*) DDR-Oberliga 4th 1989-90 (*) DDR-Oberliga 6th 1990-91 (*) NOFV Oberliga Nordost 1st 1991-92 (I) Bundesliga 18th 1992-93 (II) 2.Bundesliga 11th 1993-94 (II) 2.Bundesliga 8th 1994-95 (II) 2.Bundesliga 1st 1995-96 (I) Bundesliga 6th 1996-97 (I) Bundesliga 15th 1997-98 (I) Bundesliga 6th 1998-99 (I) Bundesliga 14th 1999-00 (I) Bundesliga 15th 2000-01 (I) Bundesliga 12th 2001-02 (I) Bundesliga 14th 2002-03 (I) Bundesliga 13th 2003-04 (I) Bundesliga 9th 2004-05 (I) Bundesliga 17th 2005-06 (II) 2.Bundesliga 10th 2006-07 (II) 2.Bundesliga 2nd 2007-08 (I) Bundesliga 17th 2008-09 (II) 2.Bundesliga 13th 2009-10 (II) 2.Bundesliga 16th lost relegation playoff to Ingolstadt 2010-11 (III) 3.Liga 2nd 2011-12 (II) 2.Liga
(c) Abseits Guide to Germany