Prelude University Nationals: Semi-Finals

The University of Munich's elimination at the hands of Westphalian University of Applied Sciences caught the attention of the local media in both Munich and Gelsenkirchen. Franck's impressive performance even earned him a spot in a local Munich newspaper with three photos prominently featured. However, the response was lukewarm at best—a fleeting moment of attention that quickly faded. No follow-up coverage emerged, and other media outlets didn't pursue Franck for further interviews.

This wasn't entirely surprising, considering that most of the media interested in college leagues are small tabloids with limited influence. Despite the reporters on the day of the match doing their best to highlight Franck and his teammates' potential, the small circulation and niche audience of these newspapers meant their efforts had little impact. Prominent sports media outlets in Munich, like the Süddeutsche Zeitung, were simply not interested in covering college leagues at this stage. They only start paying attention during the annual National Finals, reflecting their focus on youth development at that critical juncture.

As a result, Franck's media debut didn't have the impact he might have hoped for. Although he felt a twinge of disappointment, it also served as a reality check. He realized that while media coverage could help him get noticed by professional scouts, it was only one piece of the puzzle. The real work would come in the remaining games, where he knew he had to continue delivering outstanding performances.

Westphalian University of Applied Sciences became the first team to secure a spot in the national semi-finals. The other three semi-finalists—University of Hannover, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, and Darmstadt University of Technology—soon followed.

Before the next training session began, Coach Norbert Elgert briefed the team on the upcoming challenges. To his surprise, the players didn't appear worried or anxious. Instead, they were eager, almost excited, to see who they would face next.

This response pleased Coach Elgert immensely. At this stage, the confidence and aura surrounding a team could be as crucial as their physical strength on the field. The self-belief built through a string of victories had created a positive, energetic atmosphere within the squad.

Coach Elgert had a habit of playing the "bad cop" role before matches, consciously avoiding giving too much praise to keep his players grounded. He understood the psychology of young athletes all too well—too much positive feedback could lead to overconfidence and complacency. When the team's morale was low, he knew how to lift them up with encouraging words. But now that their confidence was nearing its peak, he needed to temper it with a dose of realism.

As the team captain, Franck was particularly important to Coach Elgert. He pulled Franck aside for a private conversation: "Franck, you've been scoring consistently in recent games, and for someone in your position, that's really impressive. I'm genuinely happy for you. But remember, it's not just about surpassing your opponents—it's about surpassing yourself. Your goals and aspirations are different from most of the others, and to be honest, I'm very optimistic about your future."

Franck couldn't help but smile and touch his nose, feeling a mix of amusement and seriousness. After considering the coach's words, he decided to speak candidly: "Coach, we all get what you're saying, but maybe next time, could you try a different approach? I think your routine is starting to show its age. Didn't you notice the way everyone was reacting earlier?"

Coach Elgert paused for a moment, reflecting on Franck's observation. He quickly recalled how some players, including Samuel, had been trying to suppress their smiles and fidgeting during the briefing.

With a knowing snort, Coach Elgert responded, "It doesn't matter if the routine is getting old, as long as it keeps you all sharp. Confidence is good, but don't underestimate your opponents. When you get back out there, make sure everyone stays grounded—especially Samuel. He's not as straightforward as you are."

"Uh..." Franck was momentarily at a loss for words. The coach's assessment of Samuel was spot on, and it was hard to argue with that.

What really amused Franck, though, was the coach's comment about him being "straightforward." While he was meticulous on the field, he wouldn't necessarily describe himself that way.

But if that's how the coach saw him, Franck could live with it—after all, he knew that maintaining focus and composure was crucial, both for himself and for the team's continued success.

...

This year's German University League had reached the semi-final stage, and it was shaping up to be the most unpredictable in recent memory. With the University of Munich unexpectedly knocked out, the four remaining teams—Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, University of Hannover, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, and Darmstadt University of Technology—found themselves with fairly even chances of claiming the title. Among them, Westphalian University of Applied Sciences was the tournament's biggest dark horse. While the other three teams had advanced to the national knockout stages before, their best historical achievement was only reaching the semi-finals.

However, for Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, any of these three opponents would present a formidable challenge.

The University of Hannover boasted the most impressive track record among the remaining teams. In the seven years since the start of the new century, they had reached the semi-finals four times. Although they had never advanced beyond this stage, in two of those instances, they had been knocked out by the University of Munich. This speaks more to the strength of their opponents than to any shortcomings on their part. Compared to the other teams, the University of Hannover held the upper hand in both semi-final experience and overall team strength.

If Westphalian University of Applied Sciences were to draw the University of Hannover in the semi-finals, it would feel like their luck had finally run out.

But the other two teams were no less formidable. The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology had steadily built their reputation, reaching the quarter-finals for two consecutive years and now advancing to the semi-finals. They had established themselves as a rising force in the league. Darmstadt University of Technology was also a significant threat. Their football team was known for producing top talent for the Darmstadt Football Club, a respected name in German football. Consequently, their rate of producing professional players was among the highest in the German university league.

In terms of pedigree, Westphalian University of Applied Sciences was the least experienced, making their breakthrough into the national spotlight for the first time. The other three teams not only had stable, well-established programs but also ranked among the top 20 prestigious universities in Germany. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, in particular, was one of Germany's leading science and technology institutions. Even if Westphalian University of Applied Sciences had the best football team, these three institutions were formidable across the board.

Reaching the semi-finals had already exceeded Westphalian University of Applied Sciences' expectations. To find themselves competing against such strong teams was an achievement in itself, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming matches.

As for the team's goals, there was a tacit understanding between Coach Elgert and his players. They knew they had come this far by exceeding expectations, and while the challenge ahead was daunting, they had no intention of backing down. The team was determined to give it their all, no matter who their opponents turned out to be. The journey to this point had been about pushing boundaries, and now, in the semi-finals, they were ready to see just how far they could go.

...

Two weeks after the semi-final matchups were decided, the anticipation reached a peak as the official pairings were announced.

Westphalian University of Applied Sciences was spared the daunting challenge of facing the University of Hanover, but they did draw Darmstadt University of Technology, a team known for consistently producing professional-level players. While this could be considered a favorable outcome compared to the alternative, it still presented a formidable challenge. When Franck learned of this draw, a restless excitement began to build within him.

Franck couldn't help but ponder the significance of facing Darmstadt University of Technology. Their reputation for churning out professional players year after year meant that this match would undoubtedly feature some of the best talent in the university league. The thought of going up against players of such caliber fueled his competitive spirit—this was going to be fun.

Apart from his encounter with Conta Fermolin from the Technical University of Dortmund, Franck hadn't often faced semi-professional players. And while Fermolin was certainly skilled, the challenge hadn't fully satisfied Franck; it lacked the thrill of a truly intense confrontation. So, the upcoming match against Darmstadt was something he eagerly anticipated.

Given Darmstadt's reputation, Franck knew that their core players were likely to be stronger than Fermolin, possibly even rivaling those in professional leagues. This realization only added to his excitement.

Since acquiring the system, Franck's mindset had undergone a subtle but profound transformation. In the past, he approached tough matches with confidence but also with a touch of self-doubt. When facing players with a professional background, his focus was often on learning from them and understanding the gap in skill levels. He saw himself as the underdog, someone who needed to catch up.

But now, Franck's perspective had shifted. He was no longer content with simply competing—he wanted to see how much he could outperform his opponents. The system had gradually instilled in him a sense of self-confidence that bordered on the professional, a belief that he belonged on the same stage as the best.

As the semi-finals approached, the anticipation grew. With fewer games left in the season and longer intervals between matches, the preparation period stretched out to two weeks. The German Football Association, recognizing the need for college players to balance academics and athletics, had extended the time between games to allow teams to prepare thoroughly.

Franck had been on a roll, scoring in several consecutive games, and Coach Elgert had taken notice. During a tactical training session, he began experimenting with a switch from a traditional four-back formation to a more flexible three-back system. This change was designed to capitalize on Franck's offensive abilities. Specifically, after a corner kick or a missed set-piece, Franck was encouraged to stay near the edge of the penalty area to continue participating in the next wave of attacks. With two other defenders holding the backline, Franck didn't need to rush back immediately, allowing him to exploit his attacking potential.

Coach Elgert even went so far as to redesign the team's formation to maximize Franck's impact as a central defender with offensive capabilities. While the team's forwards were talented, they lacked consistency, so developing Franck's ability to contribute to the attack became a priority.

The fundamental reason for this focus on Franck was simple: Coach Elgert had high hopes for him. With years of experience as a professional youth coach, Elgert understood that if Franck didn't develop into a well-rounded player, his career prospects would be limited. In the competitive world of football, versatility was a prized asset. If Franck found himself vying for a position against a player who had been professionally trained from a young age, the coach knew that versatility could be the deciding factor.

Elgert was determined to make Franck into a player who could excel in multiple roles, a rarity in football. He knew that by mastering a variety of skills, Franck would become an invaluable asset to any team he played for.

Fortunately, Franck didn't disappoint. With the system's assistance and his relentless training, Franck's set-pieces and long-range shots had become formidable weapons. But he wasn't satisfied yet. He continued to practice diligently, though his training regimen had evolved. Instead of practicing 100 shots a day, he had halved the number but imposed stricter standards on himself: fifty set-pieces and fifty long-range shots from various positions around the penalty area, all without missing a single one. If he missed, he would add another fifty shots.

Such a demanding regimen would have been torturous even for a professional, but Franck pushed through, driving himself to the brink of exhaustion every day.

And the results were evident. During training matches, when Coach Elgert asked Franck to join the second wave of an attack after a set-piece, he consistently hit the target from outside the penalty area, much to the coach's surprise and satisfaction.

Samuel, one of Franck's closest teammates, couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief. Turning to Alain, he remarked, "You really shouldn't mess with Franck. The way he trains every day, it's like he's willing to kill himself to get better. If I had to go through what he does, I'd rather just call it quits."

Alain, ever the calm and analytical one, glanced at Samuel and added with a smirk, "That's why you'll never beat him one-on-one."

Samuel, not one to back down easily, shot back, "You call yourself a goalkeeper, and you're giving me advice?"

The banter among the teammates was light-hearted, but it underscored the respect they had for Franck's dedication and the belief that he was on the verge of something special. As the semi-final against Darmstadt University of Technology approached, Franck knew that all his hard work was about to be put to the test. And he couldn't wait to prove himself on the field.

...

In the blink of an eye, it was game day.

For this crucial match, Westphalian University of Applied Sciences caught a break—they were spared the fatigue of back-to-back away games and instead drew a home fixture. This allowed them to prepare in familiar surroundings, with the comfort of their own stadium and the support of their home crowd.

The visiting team, Darmstadt University of Technology, arrived the day before the match. On the morning of the game, they took to the field for a warm-up session, a routine exercise but one that gave them a chance to acclimate to the conditions.

As the Westphalian team observed their opponents from the sidelines, Samuel suddenly nudged Franck. "Franck, look at their number 11!"

Franck turned his attention to the player Samuel had pointed out and noticed that the player wearing the number 11 shirt was indeed someone with black skin—a striking similarity to Franck and Samuel themselves. Intrigued, Franck raised an eyebrow and asked, "You know him?"

Samuel squinted, scrutinizing the player's face before nodding in surprise. "Yeah, that's him! We were classmates in elementary school back in Cameroon. Franck, he's tough. You'll need to keep an eye on him today."

Samuel's serious tone piqued Franck's curiosity. He took a closer look at the number 11 player, sizing him up more than once. The guy wasn't as tall as Samuel, and when he removed his warm-up shirt, Franck noticed that his back muscles weren't particularly thick—certainly not as imposing as Franck's own build. Franck's first instinct was that Samuel might be exaggerating the threat.

Given his physical stature, it seemed unlikely that this player was a defender or a forward. Even if he played in midfield, Franck couldn't imagine how someone with that build could withstand the intense physical battles that defined high-level football. Players like Xavi, who relied on exceptional technical skills and football intelligence rather than physicality, were rare—and they were typically playing on much bigger stages

Franck's mind raced through the possibilities. Was this really an opponent to be concerned about?

It wasn't that Franck dismissed Samuel's warning outright, but he found it hard to believe that this number 11, with his less-than-intimidating build, could pose the kind of challenge Samuel seemed to fear. However, Franck knew better than to let appearances deceive him completely. Football was full of surprises, and every opponent had the potential to bring something unexpected to the game.

But for now, Franck couldn't shake the feeling that Samuel was overreacting. Still, he made a mental note to keep an eye on this player during the match, just in case Samuel's instincts proved to be right. After all, surprises on the pitch often came from the most unexpected places.