Elversberg's Cole Campbell reflects on acrobatic Bundesliga goal and looks ahead to Borussia Dortmund reunion
American international Cole Campbell scored one of the most spectacular goals of the Bundesliga season on Friday evening, adding the finishing touches to SV Elversberg's emphatic 4-1 victory over Mainz 05. Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone afterward, the former Borussia Dortmund youngster reflected on his achievement and the prospect of returning to his former club next weekend.
Campbell entered Friday's encounter as a substitute before producing a remarkable finish in second-half injury time. Having helped initiate an attacking move, the 20-year-old received the ball back from fellow substitute Nicolas Mickelson and finished with an acrobatic effort to give Vincent Wagner's side a 4-0 lead.
The goal capped an impressive evening for newly promoted Elversberg, who had effectively settled the match before halftime through goals from Felix Keidel, Francis Onyeka, and Maurice Krattenmacher. Mainz subsequently pulled a goal back through Benedict Hollerbach, but the result was never seriously in doubt.
For Campbell, the moment represented another milestone in a career that has already taken him from Borussia Dortmund to Hoffenheim and, ultimately, Elversberg. The American recalled attempting similarly spectacular finishes during his childhood.
ColeCampbell reflects on spectacular finish "I think I scored a few of these goals back when I was ten years old," Campbell said. "But it's good to score again now, ten years later.
Campbell's development at Elversberg has already attracted considerable attention. As Get German Football News reported following a Bundesliga media roundtable in September, the American spoke extensively about finding his feet at his new club following a difficult period in Dortmund.
His return to regular Bundesliga football has also coincided with a significant development in his international career. Campbell made his senior United States national team debut earlier this month, adding another achievement to an increasingly eventful year.
Campbell anticipates emotional return to Borussia Dortmund Next Saturday's Bundesliga fixture offers Campbell an unusual opportunity. Elversberg travel to Borussia Dortmund, where the attacker spent much of his formative professional career before completing a permanent transfer to the Saarland club this summer.
Yeah, a lot of emotions for me next week, especially playing against my old club," Campbell told reporters. "I think it will be like a game that I've never had before, a different feeling than everything I'm used to."