1. FC Köln groped their way through the fog in vain, experienced the next memorable European Cup evening - and Steffen Baumgart was left with his sense of humour.

"I've been in Cologne for a year and a half and I can write three books about it," said the coach after the game was abandoned in the Czech Republic.

The important conference league duel at 1. FC Slovácko had to be abandoned after only six minutes of play due to heavy fog, and no goals had yet been scored.

The rest of the season will be made up for on Friday at 1 p.m.

Referring to the new date, he said jokingly: "Luckily I was in the 2nd division long enough.

Then I know how 1 p.m. works.” 

Baumgart thought the demolition was right.

"I didn't see anything, the players didn't see anything," he said.

This was preceded by a back and forth, initially the kick-off was only postponed by 75 minutes. 

Third in Group D

The teams warmed up, had to go back to the dressing room, warmed up again - "at some point the risk of injury was too high," said Baumgart.

The entire square was not visible from the stands, and there was no clear view from one goal to the other.

Visibility improved a little for a few minutes, the referee dared to kick off – but soon had to call it off.

Koln are currently third in Group D and need a win on Friday.

Already on Sunday (7.30 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Bundesliga and on DAZN) coach Steffen Baumgart’s team has to play TSG Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.

"If a transfer were possible, that would be good, then we should tackle it," said Baumgart in the evening: "But I assume that we will play on Sunday." According to the current status, there are still six games in 16 days until the winter break for the people of Cologne.

For FC, it remains a turbulent return to the European Cup after five years: the start in Nice was overshadowed by serious riots before kick-off, and this game (1-1) also took place late.

As a result, the European Football Union UEFA decided that the Cologne team was not allowed to sell away tickets for the games at Partizan Belgrade (0: 2) and FC Slovácko.

At least in the Czech Republic, numerous fans from Cologne were represented, they could also be heard through the fog - and showed humor: "Free beer for everyone" they demanded in chants before kick-off.

The supporters never got to see a real football game.