Selman Öz: The 48-year-old goalkeeper with heart and passion for Vatanspor

Selman Öz: The 48-year-old goalkeeper with heart and passion for Vatanspor

In Wolfsburg, where football plays an important role, one player in particular stands out: Selman Öz, who, at the age of 48, is the goalkeeper for the district league team Vatanspor Wolfsburg. Despite his advanced years, Öz is a real fighter and is willing to even play two games in one day when there are shortages, which proves to be extremely valuable for his team. His passion for sport brought him back to the pitch after friends persuaded him to join Vatanspor's over-40 team three years ago. Here he not only finds his old love of football again, but also uses his wealth of experience to support the younger talents in the men's team.

Öz doesn't just have an interesting story to tell as a footballer. In his youth he was active in Taekwondo for five years and has always had a connection to martial arts, which he still maintains today through the mental support of kickboxing training under the guidance of his father-in-law, the boxing trainer Antonino Spatola. He is also vice president of the Lower Saxony Kickboxing Association, where he is responsible for competitive sports, event management and tournament management. With such a combination of different sports, it is no wonder that he has developed a real talent for the community and competition and was also active in youth football work at Lupo/Martini Wolfsburg.

The snapshot of Vatanspor

This season, Öz has already played twice for the senior team and played a key role in Vatanspor's promotion to the district league. The team is currently in 7th place in the table with 12 points from 8 games. Öz sees great potential for a place in the top half of the table, but emphasizes the importance of seriousness and discipline in the team. “When the collaboration with the younger players works well, it gives me new energy,” he explains.

Vatanspor's next game is on Sunday against VfR Eintracht Nord Wolfsburg. It promises to be an exciting duel in the district league, with Öz as a reliable support in goal. His return to football shows that sporting passion can blossom at any age.

Wolfsburg as an exciting city

Wolfsburg, the fifth largest city in Lower Saxony, not only has a lot to offer in terms of sports. Located on the banks of the Aller, it is widely known as the headquarters of the automobile giant Volkswagen, which operated the world's largest car factory here until 2022. The city is an attraction for tourists who visit the Autostadt, a site that showcases various brands of cars and attracts many visitors. With a history that dates back to 1302, when Wolfsburg Castle was first mentioned, the city has undergone an exciting development. Today it is not only a center for business and the automotive industry, but also a place with a rich cultural heritage that includes numerous attractions such as the Art Museum and the Phaeno Science Center.

The city has a diverse population, consisting of many migrants, and fosters intercultural relationships through friendship treaties with cities around the world. When you stroll through the streets of Wolfsburg, you can feel the mix of history and modern life, especially when it comes to sport, which many residents are very passionate about.