December 6th, 2014. FC Wehen against Stuttgart Kickers in another round of the Third Bundesliga. Last seconds of the game, the result is 1:1. Home side's midfielder Bessar Halimi takes the ball in the middle of the pitch and goes into the opposing half for the last attack in this match. With a perfect pass he brings his teammate behind the opposite defence, no time for wondering - shot, ricochet and a goal. 2:1 for Stuttgart Kickers. The scorer is Daniel Engelbrecht. The stadium literally exploded. The coaching staff and all reserve players invade the pitch. Huge euphoria as if the Bavarians have just won the Champions League final. Of course, the comparison is not entirely appropriate. This goal is much, much more important.
We are going back to July 20, 2013 where we will find Daniel Engelbrecht in a similar situation. Home game and again 1:1 minutes before the end. The borned in Cologne striker is struggling with the opponent's defense and is wating for his chance in the closing part of the game. In the next moment Engelbrecht falls without reason on the ground. According to the doctors because of the hot weather.
Three weeks later the nightmare is repeated. Weakness, nausea, sudden deafness. Daniel leaves the stadium backed by several people and goes at the hospital only to learn it's a miracle that he is still alive. Diagnosis - permanent damage to the heart. It took him almost a month to overcome the shock and start a treatment.
"There were times when I had hallucinations because of the drugs I had to drink. They were so many. I was seeing people walking around my bed or lying beside me. It was so bad that at one point just could not sleep anymore. "
Only the thought about heart surgery would be horrifying for every person. Daniel Engelbrecht did four. And immediately before the third one, the striker runs up and down the stairs of the hospital.
"The surgery had to be done at a time when my heartbeat was disturbed, and at that time everything was normal so I had to challenge it. Otherwise the problem could have been unlocked at any time in the future."
After a few sprints, Engelbrecht plummets to the floor with a pulse of more than 300. The doctors have to reanimate him before the start of the surgery. After the last fourth operation, Engelbrecht can finally leave the hospital and return to his normal way of life. And he does it - he's back on the pitch.
"After the ball passed the goal, I felt that everyone in the stadium was on top of happiness because everyone knew what i had been through. From the fans - to the ground staff. For me this is an incredible moment. Forever will keep it in my mind "
Daniel Engelbrecht will continue to play football and in each game he will be with a defibrillator on his heart. As with a T-shirt with inscription - Nothing is impossible.
*In October 2017 he got heart problems again shortly after signing with FC Rot-Weiss Essen and has decided to retire. He devoted himself to coaching.
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