Here’s to the next 150!

Julian Schieber has reached an incredible milestone of 150 Bundesliga apearances. In this interview, he looks back on some of his most memorable moments in the German top flight.

For many Hertha fans, this moment is one of the most important of the season so far – an absolute highlight. We’re of course talking about Julian Schieber’s dramatic winner on the first day of the season against SC Freiburg. Hertha BSC were leading heading into stoppage time, when the visitors equalised in the 91st minute. However, the setback send the Blue-Whites into shock, as three minutes later Schiebers struck to win the game. For the attacker and the fans, it was an emotional goal. “Of course it was a special moment, winners in added time are rare,” said the striker, who also emphasised that “the game is in the past, this goal can’t help us now.”

Five months later and the second half of the season is about to kick off. Once more, Hertha’s number 16 could be at the centre of the action as according to statistics, he likes scoring against Freiburg. What’s more, the weekend’s game will be the 27 year old’s 150th.

Reason enough then for herthabsc.de to chat with Schieber about some of the best and worst moments in his Bundesliga career.

Julian Schieber on…

… his first Bundesliga game on the 6th of December 2008: My first game was for VfB Stuttgart against Energie Cottbus at the Stadion der Freundschaft. This game was very special for me. ‘Finally I’m on the big stage,’ I thought I myself. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t excited. We won 3-0 so I only have good memories of that match. Back then, just like now, Rainer Widmayer was my assistant coach.

… his first Bundesliga goal on 15 August 2009: It took me a while to get my first goal. It came in the 4-2 win over SC Freiburg as a substitute. I remember receiving the ball, turning and shooting. Games against Freiburg were always intense, it was like that in the youth team too when I played for Stuttgart. They were great games of the highest quality. I scored a couple more goals against Freiburg and I always enjoy coming up against them.

For many Hertha fans, this moment is one of the most important of the season so far – an absolute highlight. We’re of course talking about Julian Schieber’s dramatic winner on the first day of the season against SC Freiburg. Hertha BSC were leading heading into stoppage time, when the visitors equalised in the 91st minute. However, the setback send the Blue-Whites into shock, as three minutes later Schiebers struck to win the game. For the attacker and the fans, it was an emotional goal. “Of course it was a special moment, winners in added time are rare,” said the striker, who also emphasised that “the game is in the past, this goal can’t help us now.”

Five months later and the second half of the season is about to kick off. Once more, Hertha’s number 16 could be at the centre of the action as according to statistics, he likes scoring against Freiburg. What’s more, the weekend’s game will be the 27 year old’s 150th.Reason enough then for herthabsc.de to chat with Schieber about some of the best and worst moments in his Bundesliga career.

Julian Schieber on...

... his first Bundesliga game on the 6th of December 2008: My first game was for VfB Stuttgart against Energie Cottbus at the Stadion der Freundschaft. This game was very special for me. ‘Finally I’m on the big stage,’ I thought I myself. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t excited. We won 3-0 so I only have good memories of that match. Back then, just like now, Rainer Widmayer was my assistant coach.

… his first Bundesliga goal on 15 August 2009: It took me a while to get my first goal. It came in a 4-2 win over SC Freiburg as a substitute. I remember receiving the ball, turning and shooting. Games against Freiburg were always intense, it was like that in the youth team too when I played for Stuttgart. They were great games of the highest quality. I scored a couple more goals against Freiburg and I always enjoy coming up against them.

… his sweetest victory: It’s quite hard to pick out one particular win, I have been part of so many great victories but the 2-1 win over Freiburg earlier this year stands out because it came after a long injury lay off. The game and the goal I scored was confirmation that I was finally back after the long rehab. I also enjoyed the 2-1 over Dortmund in December 2014.

… his most memorable moment: There are so many great moments. Within those there are great goals, and important goals. The first goal is still very vivid in my mind. One of the most exciting matches was the 4-4 draw with Dortmund in 2011/12. We were trailing 2-0 when Vedad Ibisevic pulled one back. I then scored a double to give us a 3-2 lead. I was subbed off in the closing stages and Dortmund turned it round to lead 4-3 before Christian Gentner equalised in the last minute- that was unbelievable.

…his toughest loss: It wasn’t in the Bundesliga, but my toughest loss was probably whilst I was playing for Borussia Dortmund when we lost 2-1 to FC Bayern München in the 2013 Champions League final. I came on after Arjen Robben scored, but we didn’t manage to get ourselves back in the game. I could see the actual trophy, but we missed the opportunity to win the most prestigious trophy at club level. It was really tough. I think about it quite a lot. My toughest game with Hertha was probably the 5-0 loss against TSG Hoffenheim in December 2014.

…his first and only sending-off in the Bundesliga: My only sending-off happened whilst I was playing for Dortmund against Frankfurt in February 2013. I had been waiting a long time to get in the starting eleven and finally I got my chance because Lewandowski was suspended. Then I committed two fouls, neither were definite yellows in my opinion however the referee showed me two yellow cards and I had to leave the pitch. It was a real shame. Dortmund still won 3-0 though and that helped me deal with being sent off.

…his goals for the next 150 games: 150 games? That is a good few seasons (laughs). I would have achieved my goal if I manage to play another 150 games. I think it would be realistic to think about the next 50 for now. I definitely want to score my goals and improve my record, however I’m just really happy that I am playing football every day as my job.

… his sweetest victory: It’s quite hard to pick out one particular win, I have been part of so many great victories but the 2-1 win over Freiburg earlier this year stands out because it came after a long injury lay off. The game and the goal I scored was confirmation that I was finally back after the long rehab. I also enjoyed the 2-1 over Dortmund in December 2014.

… his most memorable moment: There are so many great moments. Within those there are great goals, and important goals. The first goal is still very vivid in my mind. One of the most exciting matches was the 4-4 draw with Dortmund in 2011/12. We were trailing 2-0 when Vedad Ibisevic pulled one back. I then scored a double to give us a 3-2 lead. I was subbed off in the closing stages and Dortmund turned it round to lead 4-3 before Christian Gentner equalised in the last minute- that was unbelievable.

…his toughest loss: It wasn’t in the Bundesliga, but my toughest loss was probably whilst I was playing for Borussia Dortmund when we lost 2-1 to FC Bayern München in the 2013 Champions League final. I came on after Arjen Robben scored, but we didn’t manage to get ourselves back in the game. I could see the actual trophy, but we missed the opportunity to win the most prestigious trophy at club level. It was really tough. I think about it quite a lot. My toughest game with Hertha was probably the 5-0 loss against TSG Hoffenheim in December 2014.

…his first and only sending-off in the Bundesliga: My only sending-off happened whilst I was playing for Dortmund against Frankfurt in February 2013. I had been waiting a long time to get in the starting eleven and finally I got my chance because Lewandowski was suspended. Then I committed two fouls, neither were definite yellows in my opinion however the referee showed me two yellow cards and I had to leave the pitch. It was a real shame. Dortmund still won 3-0 though and that helped me deal with being sent off.

…his goals for the next 150 games: 150 games? That is a good few seasons (laughs). I would have achieved my goal if I manage to play another 150 games. I think it would be realistic to think about the next 50 for now. I definitely want to score my goals and improve my record, however I’m just really happy that I am playing football every day as my job.