September 3, 1995 is a historic date.
The first episode of the double pass was broadcast that day. Back then without a trainer, manager or club manager. Instead, the group consisted entirely of journalists. The moderator: Rudolph Brückner.
Today Thomas Helmer leads Germany’s most popular soccer talk. And the 54-year-old is facing a big day: On Sunday the 1000th episode of the double pass is on the program. This time, instead of two and a half hours, it is broadcast for three hours.
The CHECK24 double pass on Sunday from 11 a.m. LIVE on free TV on SPORT1 and in LIVESTREAM on SPORT1.de
Guests include Stefan Effenberg, Marcel Reif, Marko Pesic, Rainer Holzschuh and Brückner. The latter two were on the very first show. There are also plans to go live with Rudi Völler, Reiner Calmund and Uli Hoeneß.
Before the big anniversary, Helmer speaks at SPORT1-Interview about his experiences and impressions – and reports on how Uli Hoeneß’s legendary call went.
SPORT1: Thomas, what does the double pass mean for you?
Thomas Helmer: First and foremost, of course, a lot of work, is clear (laughs). But of course always with great people. I have a great team. I also always admire the people who set up the stage, who are already here at five in the morning. The cameramen, mask, the editors, they are all part of it. I used to be a team player, I just enjoy working with this team.
SPORT1: The double pass is very important in the field of football talks. Is it also a kind of dream job?
Helmer: Yes, I would never have dared to do that before. So that I can do it at all is great. It’s going towards a dream, but you can’t win quite as many titles as a professional football player (smiles). There are so many people who watch and watch the show and who enjoy it, that’s great.
The interview with SPORT1 editor-in-chief Pit Gottschalk and quotes from it are also available on prisma
SPORT1: The show already existed when you were still active. How is the double pass perceived by the soccer players?
Helmer: In the past it was not easy when you saw it. Nobody wanted to be criticized, people always thought: “Yes, I wasn’t that bad now. Why do they talk about me so badly?” I remember Mario Basler calling from the cabin – while we were all behind him. He got the number somehow, there was still a phone on the wall in the Bayern cabin, Mario called and got himself switched on the program. It still happens every now and then (laughs). We stood behind him and cheered him on and said: “Come on, add another one!” It was of course about him, not about us, so we could talk well. As a player it was a different view, sometimes it was not pleasant.
Helmer: “Not always pleasant”
SPORT1: The sharp criticism voiced in the program is of course a pleasure for the viewers – but is it feared too?
Helmer: Both are possible. You can also present yourself and tell something. You can represent your club. We all look at it from the outside, including me now, you have to say that. Sometimes you may be wrong to one or the other. The group does not always know exactly what is happening at which club. I would not always want to sit there for two and a half or three hours and be rotated by the lack. As I said, we do not know everything, speculation is part of it. So it is not always pleasant for everyone, I can imagine that.
SPORT1: Is the double pass always present in your life?
Helmer: Meanwhile yes. I am almost always asked about it, which makes me very happy. On the street or wherever I am. Then I hear things like, “I’m looking forward to Sunday.” Or: “What was going on in the last episode?” So the fans and the spectators really live with it. I have never received so much encouragement – as a player it was significantly less. (laughs)
SPORT1: Is there a kind of secret to the success of why the show has held up for decades and still attracts so many viewers?
Helmer: There are certainly several things. First of all, the time is simply ideal, Sunday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Before there were all games on Saturday, that was even better because you didn’t have to wait until Monday evening for all results. But the charm is still there. Everyone wants to have a say, everyone has an opinion. The viewers also want to say: “He’s not right.” Or: “Yes, I see it the same way.” There are so many clubs that inspire or excite us again.
SPORT1: What are your best or worst memories about the double pass?
Helmer: I prefer to remember very spontaneous things. You always prepare and have a fixed schedule. But then, for example, a trainer is fired at short notice. For him, of course, crap, but for me and the show that is exactly exciting. Because I have to improvise, do spontaneously, that’s a nice challenge. Or, of course, when Uli Hoeneß or Max Eberl – as they are all called – call, and you find out two minutes in advance. Then you don’t even know what it’s about. But that’s what makes it so appealing to me. I don’t have many bad memories. Once there was this protest action, where spectators came in with banknotes and threw them. A headlight has already burst. Then you’re scared. But on the whole, these are marginal phenomena that can be put away relatively quickly.
Helmer: “Uli? Which Uli?”
SPORT1: You just mentioned it, Uli Hoeneß called in November last year and checked himself in his very own way. How did you experience this call?
Helmer: Until then, the day was pretty good (laughs). No, I’ve already hinted at it. We were in the commercial break. It went on for another two minutes, then I heard from my director on my button in my ear: “Uli wants to be included in the program.” And I say: “Uli? Which Uli?” The director: “Ja Hoeneß.” And I ask what he wants to talk about and all I hear is: “We don’t really know, it’s probably about Hasan Salihamidzic.” Because I didn’t know exactly what it was about, my first question was simply “what’s on your mind?” Then he told everything (laughs). But he also calls me now and then outside of the broadcasts, so that’s nothing new for me. But in the short amount of time I had to respond, it was something special.
SPORT1: But it can be said that Uli Hoeneß is a regular spectator of the double pass, right?
Helmer: Yes, I’m also happy that he’s watching. There are also others who always express a lot of criticism. But that also shows that this certain popularity of the double passport is unbroken, and that is also a compliment.
SPORT1: So there is a desire to do this job even longer?
Helmer: Definitely. You have to see how long the mind and body will continue to participate. But my predecessors held out a long time. So I still have to do a little – no, I can still. (laughs)
SPORT1: Is there still a memory from your early days as a moderator?
Helmer: Sure, that was Jörg Wontorra’s huge footsteps that I stepped into at the time. As an expert, you sit at the side and answer questions. As a moderator, you are suddenly the focus of the round, must have everything on the screen and manage the program. You have to listen to the audience, the director, the guests. I was very excited before this task, I have to say that. But it was a nice moment to be able to get there.
Double pass on free TV and livestream
The CHECK24 double pass is next to the broadcast on free TV SPORT1 also in the live stream on the digital SPORT1Platforms as well as completely via Facebook Live can be seen and is also available as a video in the SPORT1 media library as well as a podcast.
Order the latest Bundesliga fan articles now – go to the shop here! | DISPLAY
In the live blog for CHECK24 double pass on SPORT1.de viewers are informed of the football talk up-to-date and entertaining from the start of the program and can participate in the discussion using the comment function.
–
