Opposition Check – Holstein Kiel

As early as the 1920s, over 15,000 people regularly flocked to the Holstein-Sportplatz (Holstein Stadium). The 4-1 victory in the 1943 championship quarterfinal against Schalke 04 in front of 18,000 fans remains legendary for Kiel, and is still considered one of the greatest matches in the club’s history. The Storks experienced the all-time attendance record on March 23, 1951: 30,000 spectators witnessed a thrilling 3-3 draw against Hamburger SV in the Oberliga Nord.

Since the 1960s, the stadium has officially been called the Holstein Stadium. A particularly distinctive feature is the main stand, opened in 1950, which, despite modernisation, has largely retained its original form to this day. Adjustments have been made time and again to meet the demands of professional football. Today, the Holstein-Stadion has a capacity of 15,034 spectators. But what about the current team? In our opponent check, we analysed the Storks in more detail.

The Storks impress with their tremendous strength in duels. With 755 duels won, they demonstrate their robustness and unwavering determination. This is the third-best record in the league – only Preußen Münster (847) and 1. FC Nürnberg (795) have won more duels overall. For SVD, this means preparing for intense duels and constant pressure over the entire 90 minutes.

It was a cool Sunday afternoon in Fürth, but things were heating up on the pitch at Sportpark Ronhof: The ball hit the net twice – once it was John Tolkin who made the Storks celebrate. The Holstein Kiel left-back, known for his uncompromising defensive work, suddenly wrote his own goal-scoring history, scoring his first goal in a Holstein jersey. But it wasn’t just his goal that amazed the fans; his subsequent celebration made headlines.

Doing the „Griddy“ dance, a celebration familiar from the NFL, the US international skipped across the pitch and brought smiles to the faces of the fans in the away section. What seemed like a spontaneous idea on the pitch actually originated at the breakfast table: The morning before the game, Tolkin and his teammates had the idea of ​​celebrating after a goal in exactly the same way. No one could have guessed that it would become a viral scene. “If I score more goals, there will be more dancing,” joked Tolkin after the game – leaving it open what kind of celebration might follow next.

As entertaining as his dances are, John Tolkin brings not only a show but also an exciting career story to Kiel. His football roots lie in the New York Red Bulls academy, where he stood out as a talent at an early age. From there, he moved up to the reserve team in 2019. Just two years later, Tolkin made his MLS debut and quickly worked his way into the New Yorkers‘ starting lineup. He made a total of 135 appearances for the East Coast team, scoring nine goals and providing 20 assists.

At the same time, Tolkin also had the opportunity to showcase himself on the international stage. The American participated in the 2019 CONCACAF Championship with the U17 national team, and in 2023 he made his debut for the United States senior national team. His highlight so far: participation in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, where he played in every match.

Tolkin’s next move wasn’t long in coming. In January 2025, he moved to Germany, joining Holstein Kiel. With his attacking drive, his courage, and now two goals this season, the left-back has won over fans so far. His celebratory dances are a hit anyway…