Inside the Fanzine: KURVENKRATZER
Kurvenkratzer is a German groundhopping fanzine. Until now it has been published 14 issues of this magazine. The magazine started with two authors, but more were added over the time and some of them withdrew. At present there are three authors, what seems to be the ideal number. The guys are all around 30 years old and what connects them is the love for football. The magazine is kind of a diary of their travel experiences. Let's read what they can tell about the fanzine...
MM: Do you know each other for a long time, even before the Kurvenkratzer had started?
Kurvenkratzer: No, we met after that. Partly while hopping, partly through mutual acquaintances.
MM: What teams do you follow. Do you have a favourite football team?
Kurvenkratzer: We all have a football club that we support. They play in the 2nd and 6th league in Germany. They are FC St. Pauli and FSV Preußen Bad Langensalza.
MM: What fascinates you on groundhopping?
Kurvenkratzer: I think everyone has a different point of view. Some would like to see impressive fan scenes, others are fascinated by extraordinary stadiums and the next would just like to be out with friends in his free time. The destinations often vary, sometimes we are drawn to duels with action in the stands, sometimes to almost empty stadiums and sometimes to the next village's sports field.
MM: What was the reason you have started Kurvenkratzer?
Kurvenkratzer: A few years ago, when we just finished school, we had a lot of time and we wenr to football games almost every day. We started talking abouy commemorating our travels and so we just started. At first we made a few faux pas, but I think Kurvenkratzer has now developed into an entertaining medium.
MM: How many copies have you printed of the first Kurvenkratzer and how does it look today?
Kurvenkratzer: I'm not sure. At first we copied the booklets in the copy shop and stapled everything ourselves. At that time completely without color. That was a huge effort that would be hard to imagine today. Back then the boxes were taken home by tram. Stapling was also an act of strength that was no longer fun after a few hours. The last edition comprised 280 pieces. Now it is simply order online and deliver it to your doorstep ready for sale
MM: How many countries have you travelled all together as Kurvenkratzer up till the last number? How many matches does all 14 numbers of the magazine count?
Kurvenkratzer: It has been 75 countries. I dont know exactly how many games. Maybe about 60-70 each number so it should be between 850 and 1000.
MM: What was your best and worst experience on the road?
Kurvenkratzer: I can not name any special event. There were many tours that were really great and had their own charm. Whether it were trips to the Balkans, hot derbies or lower-class games in a really nice atmosphere. Many memorable matches, but there is not one particular thing I could emphasize. Of course there were also failures. Missed games always hurt. Sometimes they are canceled on the way, the arrival is delayed or it is unexpectedly sold out. Each of us can certainly tell our own stories.
MM: Do you plan your road trips well in advance or is it mostly last minute? How do you travel?
Kurvenkratzer: The games are planned pretty well in advance. Sometimes things like the game day, the time or the place are changed. Then you have to be flexible and reschedule things. Thanks to modern technology, it's not that difficult at all, because the schedules of at least the top leagues can be found abroad and with a route planner there is also the way to get there easily. In the early days, we often traveled by train because non of us had driver's license nor our own vehicle. That is different now, we travel mostly by car. This has made things a lot easier, faster and usually more convenient.
MM: Which countries are missing still in your visited list and you would like to change it as soon as possible?
Kurvenkratzer: This year Nepal, China and Singapore as well as Canada and Faroe Islands were planned but canceled due to COVID. That should be done next year if it will be possible. We also set target on Andorra, to complete the whole UEFA region.
MM: What can we expect in the future with Kurvenkratzer? Are you planning to improve the magazine some way?
Kurvenkratzer: Big changes are not planned. The second part of the South America Special will appear next and then things will continue as normal. The number 16 will be about trips to Belgium, France, Kosovo, Macedonia, the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. We hope that trips to more exotic countries will be possible again soon.
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