Before the home game against SSV Jahn Regensburg, the club song of 1. FC Nürnberg was played in the arena. For a sad reason. That was behind it.

Anyone who was in the arena a little earlier before FC Schalke 04’s home game against SSV Jahn Regensburg (2-0) will have noticed that the anthem of 1. FC Nürnberg, “The Legend Lives On,” was played before the kick-off.

This is quite common when the “Club” is a guest at Schalke. Because of the fan friendship between the supporters of both clubs, it has become customary over the years for club songs to be played for each other, which are then usually sung together by the supporters of both clubs.

Because in the night from Friday to Saturday, Stefan Hetzel, the lead singer of the Ultras Nuremberg, passed away at the age of just 41. Since there is also a close connection between the Ultras Gelsenkirchen and the Ultras Nuremberg, the S04 quickly changed its pre-match program and commemorated the FCN fan.

For this reason, the song “The Legend Lives” was played. Hetzel was a formative figure in Nuremberg’s ultra scene. “Stefan Hetzel passed away far too early on Friday night at the age of 41. For many years, ‘Hetzel’ was a constant in the north curve and known to many fans as a precentor in block 11 for 15 years. ‘Hetzel’ was a club fan through and through, in good times and bad. The entire club family mourns the loss of a great person, a good friend, and extends its deepest condolences to his relatives, friends and acquaintances,” the 1. FC Nürnberg website posted in condolence.

The Ultras Gelsenkirchen also mourned the loss of their buddy: “Ultras forever – rest in peace, Hetzel!” they wrote on a banner they held up in the Nordkurve before the game. Hetzel is survived by a wife and two children.