Goal Line - Episode 1: The Beginning

Here’s the story for Episode 1: "The Beginning" of the series "Goal Line":

🎥 Goal Line - Episode 1: The Beginning

April 18, 1943 – Luxembourg

👨‍👩‍👦 Matthias Da Costa, a German-born Luxembourg citizen, paces nervously as his pregnant wife, Clarisse, struggles in labor. He whispers, "Honey, hold on! I’ll take you to the hospital!" Clarisse, clutching her stomach, grits her teeth: "Better be fast!"

🚗 Matthias rushes her to the nearest hospital. After two tense hours, the cries of a newborn fill the room. Clarisse looks at her husband with tears of joy.

"He's beautiful," she whispers. "What should we name him?"

Matthias, wiping his eyes, declares: "Julien. Julien Matthias Da Costa."

Clarisse smiles weakly. "Yes... a perfect name."

Chaos in the Hospital

Suddenly, a panicked doctor bursts into the room. "RUN! German soldiers are coming!"

💥 A gunshot echoes as the doctor collapses, lifeless. Matthias, in survival mode, smashes a window and helps Clarisse and baby Julien escape. Back home, Matthias curses under his breath, "Why must our child be born into a world at war?" Clarisse reassures him: "We'll survive, Matthias. For Julien."

1946 – Julien’s First Words

🏠 By 1946, Julien is a curious 3-year-old. One day, while watching street kids kick a makeshift football, Julien excitedly points and says his first word: “Football!” Matthias, despite the hardships, bursts into laughter. "My boy, you’ll be a footballer one day."

1953 – Tragedy Strikes

🏃‍♂️ One fateful night in 1953, Matthias rushes into the house. "Clarisse, they’re coming! We have to leave!"

Clarisse, calm yet resolute, hands baby Julien to Matthias. "Take him. I’ll stay."

"I can’t leave you!" Matthias cries.

Clarisse wipes his tears. "A child who’s done nothing wrong deserves to live."

💔 As soldiers burst in, Julien screams, "Mummy!" A shot rings out, and Clarisse falls lifeless. Matthias, shaking with grief, carries Julien and runs into the cold night.

Escape to Germany

😢 After hours of walking, Matthias collapses near a German border checkpoint. A kind German soldier spots them.

"Who are you?" the soldier asks.

"My son and I... we need help," Matthias pleads.

The soldier nods. "Follow me." He leads them to a safe apartment in Germany. Matthias, holding Julien close, whispers, "We’ll survive, son. For her."

1957 – Julien’s Football Journey Begins

⚽ Now 14, Julien practices relentlessly. One day, after several missed shots, he yells, "Damn it!"

Matthias, overhearing, scolds him. "Language, Julien!"

"Sorry, Dad," Julien mutters. "I just... I want to be a footballer, but I’m terrible."

Matthias sits beside him. "Son, life is hard. My father died in World War I. Your mother died in the Luxembourg Civil War. But a wise man once told me: ‘Never give up, no matter the circumstances.’ Keep going, Julien. Always."

1960 – Julien’s Big Break

🏟️ At 17, Julien stars in a crucial match for his team, German 11, against rivals Red Wolves FC. After an intense 90 minutes, Julien’s stunning assist leads his team to victory. 🏆

Scouted by Dortmund

🕴️ After the match, a sharp-dressed man approaches Julien, cigarette in hand. "Name’s Philip. I scout for Borussia Dortmund. Kid, you’ve got potential."

Julien, starstruck, shakes his hand. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Philip. I’m Julien Da Costa. I’m 17."

Philip smirks. "17? Kid, you’re good. Dortmund is willing to pay 100,000 euros for your talent. What do you say?"

Julien, grinning ear to ear, replies: "Yes! Thank you, sir!"

Goodbye, Luxembourg

📦 Julien packs his things and hugs his father tightly. "I’ll make you proud, Dad."

Matthias, holding back tears, says, "Go, my son. Follow your dreams."

Arrival in Dortmund

🏢 At Dortmund’s training ground, Julien meets his teammates:

Hans Müller: Captain, 23, tough but supportive.

Klaus Richter: Goalkeeper, 20, always cracking jokes.

Peter Brandt: Winger, 18, Julien’s closest friend.

First Training Session

⚽ Julien struggles to keep up but impresses with his work ethic. "Not bad, rookie," Hans says, clapping him on the back.

First Match

🏟️ Julien’s debut ends without a goal, but in the second match, Julien shines. After a teammate’s perfect corner, Julien’s initial shot is blocked by the keeper. The rebound lands at his feet, and with a thunderous strike, Julien scores his first professional goal! 🥅

🎉 The crowd erupts as teammates lift Julien in celebration. Julien, breathless, looks to the stands and whispers, "This is just the beginning."

🎬 To Be Continued…

Would you like Episode 2 to focus on Julien’s rise at Dortmund or his first national team call-up with Luxembourg? 😊

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