He makes his way along the path with small, careful steps. He has placed a large HSV flag on his shoulder and carries a jute bag in his right hand. It’s just after ten on Tuesday morning and a cold wind is whistling across the Hamburger SV training ground. The man puts the bag down, puts the flag next to it and wedges his seat cushion into the fence in front of the training ground.
Just like he does every time he comes here: every other day – at least. He is 86 years old and everyone here calls him Flag-Kuddel. Why – that will soon become clear. He pulls one country flag after the next out of his bag and sticks them into the fence. There are 56 of them in total, they represent every nation from which Hamburger SV has signed players in its history.
