The Wild Soccer Bunch facts for kids

The Wild Soccer Bunch is a popular series of fourteen books for kids. They were written by a German author named Joachim Masannek. He got the idea for the books while coaching a youth soccer team. The books were first written in German and called Die Wilden Fußballkerle. They tell exciting stories about a made-up youth soccer team called The Wild Soccer Bunch. Jan Birck drew all the cool pictures in the books.

In the English versions of the Wild Soccer Bunch stories, everything happens in a small neighborhood in Chicago.

About the Creators

Joachim Masannek

Joachim Masannek studied philosophy and German studies in Munich, Germany. He made some student films that won awards. After school, Masannek worked as a cameraman, writer, and director for movies and TV.

Masannek used to coach a kids' soccer team. This team gave him the idea to create The Wild Soccer Bunch. His main goal is to help kids all over the world learn important values. These values, like courage, teamwork, and friendship, come from playing soccer. He lives in Munich with his sons, Leon and Marlon.

Jan Birck

Jan Birck started his career drawing pictures for advertising companies in Munich. He and his wife also started a company called Dreamotion Media. This company creates books, films, and DVDs. Birck is known as one of the best illustrators for children's books. His drawings have been in hundreds of publications. He lives in Munich with his wife and sons, Timo and Finn.

The Story

The Wild Soccer Bunch stories are set in a small neighborhood in Chicago. The team is made up of many different and interesting players. They are all connected by their love for soccer. The team plays their favorite game by five special rules. These rules are: "1. Be Wild! 2. Everything’s cool, as long as you’re wild! 3. Never, ever give up! 4. One for all and all for one! 5. Once Wild, always wild!" The team's logo was inspired by a logo Masannek's own children made for their soccer team.

Meet the Characters

The Wild Soccer Bunch Team

• Leon the slalom dribbler: Leon is the leader of the Wild Soccer Bunch. He really wants to win and is very loyal to his team. At first, he cared more about his own success. But he soon learned that the team's success was more important. He always tries to help his friends when they are in trouble. Leon wears shirt number 13, just like his hero, Gerd Müller. His best friend is Fabi, and they are called the Golden Twins. They often play together in attack.

• Fabi, the fastest right wing: Fabi is Leon's best friend. They are the Golden Twins, and they score many goals for the Wild Soccer Bunch. Fabi is also interested in girls. In one book, Fabi gets asked to join FC Bayern Munich. But he realizes how much his friends mean to him. He leaves FC Bayern Munich, and helps the Wild Soccer Bunch win an important game.

• Marlon, the number 10: Marlon is Leon's brother. He is the heart and soul of the team. In one story, Marlon gets hurt and thinks he can't play soccer anymore. The Wild Soccer Bunch trick him into seeing a doctor from FC Bayern Munich. This helps him get his confidence back. In the same book, Vanessa and Marlon like each other, but neither wants to say it.

• Raban, the Hero: Raban wears very thick glasses. Without them, he can barely see. This means he usually sits on the bench. In one book, he asks a "Soccer-oracle" if he will ever be a professional player. He learns he is meant to be the manager of the Wild Soccer Bunch instead.

• Markus, the Invincible: Markus is the team's goalkeeper. He lives in a big house with lots of money. His dad wants him to play golf, not soccer. So Markus often sneaks out to go to soccer practice.

• Juli "Huckleberry" Fort Knox: Juli is a strong defender. He also built the team's amazing three-level tree house called Camelot. In one story, Juli is blackmailed by 'Fat Michi'. With his friends' help, he escapes the threat. He also finds his father, whom he had not seen in years.

• Joschka, the 7th cavalry: Joschka is Juli's youngest brother. On his 7th birthday, he helps get back the Devil’s pot from the Flamehats.

• Vanessa, the undaunted: Vanessa wants to be the first woman on the men’s national soccer team. She moved from Hamburg to Munich. She became a team member of the Wild Soccer Bunch. She also became one of the team leaders, along with Leon and Fabi.

• Maxi "Tippkick" Maximilian: Maxi has the most powerful shot in the world. He usually doesn't talk. Soccer means everything to him. But he will sacrifice his freedom for his friends. He even breaks his silence if he needs to.

• Deniz, the loco: Deniz is from Turkey. While with the Wild Soccer Bunch, he learns he needs glasses. He also learns that he is not alone and that friends are more important than winning by himself.

• Jojo who dances with the sun: Jojo comes from an orphanage. He never had proper soccer shoes. He played soccer in patched sandals until he got new shoes as a gift. He also learns that friendship is more important than things you own.

Rival Teams

• "Gonzo" Gonzales: He is the leader of the Flamehats. They are a skater gang from a boarding school called "Nebelburg."

• Fat Michi: He leads the Unbeatable Winners. After the Wild Soccer Bunch beat them, Fat Michi became one of their friends. But he still wants to get his revenge!

• The Beastly Beasts: This is a girls' soccer team. They challenged the Wild Soccer Bunch to a game. They wanted to win the title of "Wildest soccer team in the world." The game ended in a 1-1 tie, so the Wild Soccer Bunch kept their title.

• The Silverglades behind the mist: They live in a fog that appears every year before the final game. Leon and his team are always ready for this challenge.

• The Shadow Seekers behind the horizon: These "vampires" live in an old metal castle. The Wild Soccer Bunch struggled against them at first. But with help from Maxi and Vanessa, they won the final match.

• The fat cousin: He is Fat Michi's older cousin. He lives in the Black Hills and thinks he is the chief of all thieves.

• The Wolves of Ragnarök: This soccer team organizes a freestyle soccer contest. They have lived in the forest for three years.

Global Success

Since the first book came out in 2002, The Wild Soccer Bunch series has become very popular. It has sold well in Germany and all over the world. So far, fourteen Wild Soccer Bunch books have been published in 30 countries. Over 9 million copies have been sold! Five live-action movies have also been made. These movies sold ten million tickets in German-speaking countries alone.

English Books

Five of the books have been translated into English. These include Kevin the Star Striker, Diego the Tornado, Zoe the Fearless, Julian the Mighty, and Max the Golden Boot. They were translated by Helga Schier and edited by Michael Part. Sole Books released them in the US and Canada. These books are part of the Accelerated Reader program. Each book also has a special message from American soccer player Landon Donovan, who supports the series. Sole Books even offered a free copy of the first book, Kevin the Star Striker, to every school in America.

Movies and TV Shows

Joachim Masannek directed six German live-action movies based on the books. These movies came out between 2003 and 2016. The second movie was shown in the United States in 2011.

A cartoon TV show with 26 episodes was also made. It started airing in Germany in 2012. In the United States, the show began airing on Primo TV in 2017.