[ 11goals ] - Interview with Eva Britsch (Style-PASS.com)

Dear Eva,

1. How did Style PASS come about and what does your lifestyle brand stand for?

Eva Britsch: Style PASS started with the motto: “(Women’s) football, style and life” and in 2021 has expanded its content concept to “Strong women, sport, style and life”; Football, with its enormous social relevance, continues to be a bridge for many Style PASS topics. Why did I expand the concept? I also want to introduce an interesting author or politician on www.style-pass.com , because after all, football isn't everything in life.

2. What three things fascinate you about football?

I am fascinated by the energy that sport creates, on the pitch and in the stadium. I am fascinated, not always in a positive way, by the importance that football has for many people and thirdly, I would say that I simply find the “football system” interesting, with all the strange characters, including Diego, who unfortunately recently passed away Maradona, to the eccentric Hope Solo, to the legendary George Best (quote). I certainly don't have to try the latter here.

3. What do you think is the key to being happy?

It's clear: those who manage to follow their own path in life are happy. Those who may not always achieve 100 percent of their personal goals, but at least don't lose sight of them. I think, and many psychologists say that, people who don't compare themselves, who manage to build positive relationships with other people in life and who can trust despite the disappointments that everyone has are happy. Money and happiness? I always say: “Money doesn’t make you happy, but neither does poverty!” The right balance is probably the answer. Of course, anyone who works a lot and earns little feels rightly cheated. This is also why I am committed to the concept of “unconditional basic income” and, in addition to my work as a journalist, I founded the initiative “We are turning the system on its head – converting Hartz IV into an unconditional basic income”. I believe: People who live in a state where their basic security is financially covered are more authentic, freer, stronger, more creative - in other words, simply happier. Unfortunately, I think there is far too little talk about “happiness” in Germany.

4. What motivates you or how do you motivate yourself?

I think I am a naturally motivated person. I'm the head-against-the-wall type and sometimes think: "Okay Eva, maybe think first and then do!" Otherwise, I motivate myself with small incentives, which could be a new lipstick that I treat myself to when I worked a lot or just the ambition of wanting to invite my mother to dinner when she can hopefully visit me in Berlin again after Corona.

5. What are you most proud of in your life?

Difficult question, isn't it said: "Self-praise stinks?" Of course I'm proud to have founded Style PASS. In 2014/2015, when I started Style PASS and told people that I wanted to do something thematically for women's football, many people looked at me in disbelief, although women's football is of course at least as interesting as men's football. Neither big publishers wanted to do something for Style PASS nor investors who saw Style PASS more as a money printing machine, which Style PASS, like all other start-ups, is of course not. I don’t have to say “thank you” to anyone, I’m proud of that. Maybe rightly so. Men in particular were not too stupid to come up with an excuse as to why they thought my journalistic business idea was stupid. Well, every now and then I say “thank you” to my father, who, like me, is a journalist and contributes great texts to Style PASS. But if I call him a “womanizer” here, he will definitely show me the yellow card. But of course, that's why I'm already a fan of "11 Goals", because of course men should do more for women too.

6. Your best football moment so far?

I recently bet on a women's soccer game at Tipico and even won 1.40 euros. That was quite funny and I had a lot of fun. But my main profession is a journalist and not a “fan”, I try to approach the whole topic neutrally/professionally, after all the recipients expect autonomous reporting, and they get that on www.style-pass.com.

7. Does women's football deserve more recognition? What would have to change? (Compared to other countries; Spain, England, France)

Women's football definitely deserves more recognition, not just in Germany, although the difference to men's football here is perhaps even more stark than in other countries. Women's football in Germany needs more media support, it is indirectly discriminated against because it is simply not reported on as much and of course the pay for the players must finally be right. But I've reported enough about this on www.style-pass.com and don't want to constantly annoy the readers.

8. Your life motto?

I have various. I particularly like Oscar Wilde's aphorisms because I think he gets to the heart of psychological connections in life in a very funny way. But if I have to choose? “Stay away from negative people. They have a problem for every solution!” I try to be a solution-oriented person, something positive can also come out of an argument because you really only get to know people in extreme situations and I don’t like it when people point out other people’s weaknesses go – and not their strengths. Of course, I don't always succeed.

9. If you could change one thing in football: what would it be?

Football should often take itself less seriously - especially in the (still male-dominated) officialdom. Arrogance and arrogance are not good for sport.

10. If you were a player, what song would be playing in the locker room before games?

God, I really wouldn’t describe my taste in music as “taste.” Maybe something that's good to dance on, because I like to dance freestyle. Whoever dances in the dressing room might also kick better? I used to like “Sean Paul” when it was played in clubs. If the young girls don't think I'm an old grandma, I would listen to him again with his hit "Shake that thing", which fits the motto of the German Bundesliga girls "We don't need balls, we have ponytails".

11. Your life without football would be...

Certainly nice, because as a journalist I've always been interested in different topics and if you like your job, you'll always find something - in my case - to write about. But without football I probably wouldn't be seen as the Eva Britsch that I am through Style PASS and football: a girl who confidently steps into a male domain and does something for other women.

Thank you, Eva! Good luck with Style PASS and I look forward to our collaboration! Stay healthy.

[ Photo by: Thomas Quintavalle ]