When Rot-Weiss Essen hosts Hamburger SV in the DFB Cup on Sunday (13 August, 1pm, Forecasting-Liveticker), two hearts will beat in one chest for the Golz family.

“I actually had a feeling that this pairing would happen,” Richard Golz, HSV legend and father of RWE goalkeeper Jakob Golz, told Forecasting.

The DFB Cup tie between Rot-Weiss Essen and Hamburger SV (13 August, 1pm, Forecasting live ticker) is a special game for the whole Golz family.

Richard Golz (55) is an HSV legend with 314 competitive games played for the Rothosen, the family lives in Hamburg and Jakob’s brother’s girlfriend is a big HSV fan. Golz senior reveals to RS what the mood in the Golz camp is like ahead of the Essen vs Hamburg clash. His son Jakob is Essen’s number one and has been under contract at Hafenstraße since summer 2019. And: He was trained, of course, at Hamburger SV.

Richard Golz, will you be at the Hafenstraße stadium on Sunday?

Yes, of course. We’ll be travelling to Essen in a small bus. My wife and I, Jakob’s brother will come with his girlfriend and two other friends will also be there. We’re going on a family trip to Essen.

So the question has to be asked: Who will the Golz family be rooting for?

RWE, of course! Blood is thicker than sweat. But (laughs): I can’t speak for the girlfriend of our second son, Jakob’s brother. I think she will go to HSV. But she will have a hard time in the stands on Sunday (laughs).

What kind of game do you expect?

A typical cup match in front of a great crowd, including a hot atmosphere. I think anything is possible. But HSV are still the favourites.

Why not at Rot-Weiss Essen? When I look at myself, I’ve been with clubs for a very long time and I’ve always stood for continuity. Jakob is also a guy who has to feel comfortable and he does that in Essen. I can well imagine that he will stay in Essen for a very long time and grow together with RWE.

Richard Golz on the future of Jakob Golz

How was Rot-Weiss Essen perceived in Hamburg?

I think HSV would have preferred a supposedly easier draw. People in Hamburg know what’s going on in Essen. It’s not a regional league team that plays somewhere in the village. No! Nearly 20,000 spectators will be in the right mood and it’s 3rd against 2nd league.

How is your contact with your son Jakob before this game?

We talk more after the games. I leave the preparation to the coaching team. In the follow-up, I tell Jakob what I noticed. Of course, we’ve already spoken on the phone this week, but HSV isn’t the topic all the time. Jakob should prepare for the game in peace and quiet, and he’s in very good hands with Essen’s goalkeeping coach Manuel Lenz.

How do you rate Jakob’s development?

He came to Essen in 2019 as the number two and is now the number one. I think that’s great, even if you consider the situation in which the goalkeeper swap came about, how he swam free. Last season was constant, he’s stepped it up a notch every year. Every game in the 3rd division is a real challenge and Jakob is very reliable in his performances. He is unspectacular, but masters his job seriously. I guess it runs in the family (laughs). I can also enjoy it all and am relatively relaxed when Jakob plays. Sometimes you get a bit more excited, but that’s normal. That will probably be the case again on Sunday.

Your son has a contract in Essen until summer 2025. He is 24 years old. Where do you see him in five years?

Why not at Rot-Weiss Essen? When I look at myself, I’ve been at clubs for a very long time and I’ve always stood for continuity. Jakob is also a guy who has to feel comfortable and he does that in Essen. I can well imagine that he will stay in Essen for a very long time and grow together with RWE.

What does Richard Golz actually do today?

I am still active in an advisory capacity for FC Altona 93, but I keep out of sporting matters. Otherwise, I work as a headhunter for a company that looks for executives for sports clubs and companies.

Oh, by the way, what is your tip for Sunday?

While I had a feeling before the draw that it would be Essen against Hamburg, I now have no feeling at all for Sunday. I’m hoping for a great cup match in which Rot-Weiss Essen progresses in the end. HSV can then be promoted to the 1st Bundesliga. Then we would also be able to get over a cup exit in Essen.