Farewell Seb, James, Rico and Matze! You’ll never walk alone!
Wednesday, 18. May 2022, 17:00 Uhr
Rico Benatelli and James Lawrence made their final appearances for the club in Sunday's 2-0 home win over Fortuna Düsseldorf. Likewise, goalkeeper coach Mathias Hain looked on from the dugout for the last time, while the injured Sebastian Ohlsson followed the proceedings from the stands. The quartet were given a send-off in the ground immediately after the final whistle, but the club would now like to formally bid farewell to Ohlsson, Lawrence, Benatelli and Hain and thank them for their service in the brown-and-white colours!
Sebastian Ohlsson (57 appearances, 3 assists)
Right-back Sebastian Ohlsson leaves the club after a three-year spell. The Swede made his debut in the 2-0 derby win over HSV soon after arriving from Gothenburg in late August 2019, impressing the Millerntor faithful from then on with his flexibility, strength in the tackle and composure on the ball. "Mr Reliable" became something of a permanent fixture in the side until his progress was halted by two injuries sustained in 2021, restricting his competitive appearances for the club to 57 in total.
We wish you all the very best for the future, Seb!
James Lawrence (54 appearances, 1 goal, 4 assists)
It is for the second time that we bid farewell to James Lawrence, who after his first spell at the Millerntor had initially returned to loaning club RSC Anderlecht before donning the brown-and-white jersey again from October 2020. The 29-year-old Wales international made a total of 54 competitive appearances in his almost three years with the Boys in Brown, scoring one goal in a dream start in the opening game against Holstein Kiel.
No matter whose shirt you wear in the future, James, we wish you all the very best!
Rico Benatelli (66 appearances, 4 goals, 1 assist)
Rico Benatelli is another player leaving the club after a three-year spell at the Millerntor. The midfielder joined the Boys in Brown from Dresden in the summer of 2019, catching the eye with his composure on the ball in the centre of the park and unerring passing ability. Benatelli scored four goals in his three years with the club, and it would have been five had his effort in the 2-0 win at HSV in February 2020 not been disallowed.
Thanks for the last three years, Rico, and all the best for the future!
Mathias Hain (72 appearances between the sticks, 11 years as goalkeeper coach)
Sunday was the final game at the Millerntor for another longstanding member of the St. Pauli family in Mathias Hain, who departs after 14 years with the club. Matze hung up his gloves and joined the coaching team in 2011 after making 72 appearances in a three-year spell. With his vast experience, he was also an important figure in the dressing room and on the touchline when it came to motivating, consoling or celebrating with the lads. Matze performed his coaching role with exactly the same passion as when he kept goal himself, of that there is no doubt.
We thank you most sincerely Matze for everything you have done for the club over the last 14 years and wish you the very best!
You’ll never walk alone!!!
Photos: Witters
