Thomas Eichstätt, known to everyone as "Eichi,” used to be deeply involved in the far-right scene in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Today, he volunteers in the small town of Torgelow as the coach of FC Pio. 

Many of the young players he coaches have fled their home countries. They face an array of challenges in their adopted country: they must find jobs, navigate a lack of acceptance, and process their experiences as refugees.

But on the field, what matters most is the moment. Soccer offers these players structure and a sense of belonging. 

Soccer as a Bridge to a New Life

Off the field, many are caught up in the difficult process of integration and are consumed by a longing for home. Whether on the field or off of it, "Eichi” is there for them. For some players, he has become an important role model.

At the same time, the soccer coach is coming to terms with his own past. "I used to be a bad person,” says Eichstätt, of his time in the far-right scene. He receives no payment for his work with FC Pio—the financially strapped municipality can’t afford to fund his efforts.

Loraine Blumenthal’s film shows how soccer and personal commitment can build bridges—even in an environment characterized by frequent political demands for deportation.
 

Broadcasting Hours:

DW English

SAT 12.09.2026 – 10:30 UTC
SAT 12.09.2026 – 21:30 UTC
SUN 13.09.2026 – 04:30 UTC

Lagos UTC +1 | Cape Town UTC +2 | Nairobi UTC +3
Delhi UTC +5,5 | Bangkok UTC +7 | Hong Kong UTC +8
London UTC +1 | Berlin UTC +2 | Moscow UTC +3
San Francisco UTC -7 | Edmonton UTC -6 | New York UTC -4