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Bicakcic before the derby: Winning the derby is the greatest feeling!
Ermin Bicakcic on his return to the derby between Eintracht Braunschweig and Hannover 96 on October 26, 2025.
Bicakcic before the derby: Winning the derby is the greatest feeling!
The tension is rising in Braunschweig, because the long-awaited Niedersachsensenderby against Hannover 96 is just around the corner. As the former captain of Eintracht Braunschweig, Ermin Bicakcic, revealed, for him the derby is not only a sporting matter, but also an emotional one. Although the 35-year-old no longer plays for Eintracht, this rivalry remains deeply rooted in his heart. “Winning the derby is the greatest feeling,” says Bicakcic, describing his fondest memories of the encounters against Hannover.
Bicakcic, who was part of the Braunschweig team from 2012 to 2014 and again from 2023 to the summer of 2025, has played a total of six derbies against Hannover 96 in his career. Despite his absence, the defender emphasizes how important preparation for such games is to him: “A derby week is a different mental strain for me,” he explains. This year the derby will kick off at 1:30 p.m. on October 26, 2025, and Bicakcic is already feeling “positive nervousness.”
Derby with responsibility
Bicakcic appeals to the fans of both teams to treat each other with respect during the game. He hopes for a peaceful and atmospheric derby in an almost full stadium. He describes his last training sessions before a derby as “final training with a matchday feel”. This shows how high the pressure and anticipation is for such crucial games.
During his time at Eintracht Braunschweig, Bicakcic didn't just impress with his sporting achievements. Sports director Benjamin Kessel recently praised the defender as an “enormously deserving player in the club’s recent history”. Bicakcic played in a total of 139 games for Eintracht; he only played more often for TSG Hoffenheim. The last few weeks have been marked by sad farewells for him after the club let the option to extend his contract expire.
A farewell that lasts
Bicakcic looks back on his time in Braunschweig with pride. “For me, Eintracht Braunschweig is more than just a club,” he says, as he reflects on the emotional highlights of staying in the league in recent years. Where he will go now remains uncertain. There are rumors about a possible move to NK Istra 1961 in Croatia. An official farewell at the stadium will be planned as soon as he is able to return.
The derby is not only of great importance for the fans and players; it's also about pride and rivalry, which are deeply rooted in football. A derby, as it is defined, could not be described better. The history, the rivalry and the storytelling make such encounters so unique and unforgettable, as well explained here becomes.
Whether on the pitch or off, the derby between Eintracht Braunschweig and Hannover 96 remains a significant event for the region, and Bicakcic will follow it with all his heart. Not just as a former player, but also as a passionate supporter of his former team.