On August 28, 2019, Tobias Artmann, now 35, made waves on the football pitch with a stunning goal for SC Kirchroth during the Toto-Pokal match against local rivals SpVgg Pondorf-Oberzeitldorn. His powerful left-footed strike secured the third goal in what became a resounding 6-0 victory, and little did he know this incredible moment would resurface over five years later, leading to his nomination for the legendary Torwandschießen on ZDF Sportstudio.
The announcement this week caught many, including Artmann himself, by surprise. The former KSC captain, who has since retired from professional play, will face off against Australian footballer Jackson Irvine, the captain of FC St. Pauli, this Saturday. The backstory is just as colorful as the event itself. Alois Sprenger, president of SC Kirchroth, had posted a video of Artmann's spectacular goal on "Hartplatzhelden"—a partner of ZDF—and the footage caught the attention of the selecting jury.
When approached for the event, Artmann said he felt "speechless and very surprised" at first but quickly became excited about the opportunity. “It’s going to be such a great experience,” he shared during his interview with FuPa. From his perspective, rekindling these memories opens up the door for loads of nostalgia, even as the goal itself fades slightly from active recollection.
Artmann plans to bring along his wife, Sabrina, who will accompany him to Mainz. "She played for SV Perkam and is also very passionate about football; it's great to share this with her,” he mentioned. Their day on Saturday will begin around midday, where they intend to check-in at their hotel, grab some food, and make their way to the studio by 8 PM.
Having officially ended his active career last year, Artmann still kicks the ball around occasionally as part of the veteran teams at SC Kirchroth or SV Perkam. While he doesn't have any specific goals for the Torwandschießen, he is simply thrilled to be featured. The competition itself consists of two rounds, where both Artmann and Irvine will take turns attempting to score—or to hit—the marked areas on the wall. Success leads to not only bragging rights but the chance for monetary rewards.
If Artmann scores more than his famous opponents, he could take home a Decathlon voucher worth 1,000 euros. Beyond this, he’ll also secure his place for the season-ending final, where the grand winner could earn investment shares valued at 25,000 euros provided by Union Investment. Each round has its nuances, as both participants and guests have three attempts to hit specific targets, the challenge rife with excitement.
Reflecting on his career and the unique chance for recognition at the ZDF Sportstudio, Artmann sums it up beautifully, stating: “It’s just incredible to think how the impact of one moment can come back around so many years later. I’ve enjoyed every step of my footballing life, and this is just another piece of joy.”
Indeed, for Artmann, this moment isn’t merely about competition but rather embracing the joy of the sport he loves so dearly.