"Who will become a millionaire?": penetration test: Jauch saves student and overturns WWM ban

A candidate on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? failed to identify the new head coach of Union Berlin during a quiz segment, drawing attention for his incorrect answer. The show’s host, Günther Jauch, posed the question worth €2,000: “Who became the football team manager of Union Berlin in July?” The contestant, Noah Petrik, a personnel officer at Deutsche Bahn, struggled with the options presented, “Igor Spassikowski,” “Mauro Lustrinelli,” “Erling Gaudigaard,” and “Jimmy Sexyhexi.” He did not recognize any of them, despite being a fan of German football. The correct answer was Mauro Lustrinelli, who has been coaching Union Berlin since July. The other three names were fictionalized jokes based on the word “Lust” in Lustrinelli’s name. Petrik attempted to use the phone joker, who suggested Igor Spassikowski, but this led him to drop from €2,000 to €500. Union Berlin responded to the episode on Instagram, commenting with “Answer D”, referring to “Jimmy Sexyhexi.” Lustrinelli, who previously coached FC Thun to a Swiss league title in 2026, has faced challenges in Germany after joining Union Berlin following a poor start to the season. Despite recent results, including a draw against Borussia Dortmund and a win over SV Elversberg, he remains relatively unknown to many German football fans. The incident highlights how even seemingly simple questions can trip up contestants, especially when the subject matter is unfamiliar. Union Berlin’s reaction suggests some amusement at the mix-up, though the club continues to focus on its performance on the pitch. On another segment of the same show, Jauch intervened to help a law student avoid a costly mistake. The contestant, Nazan Yilmaz, was attempting to answer a question about penetration testing, which involves checking the security of IT systems. She had initially ruled out condoms as an option but was swayed by her phone joker, Udo Engel, who favored them. Jauch stepped in, suggesting she abandon the question and take €16,000 instead, avoiding the risk of losing more money. Yilmaz accepted the advice and left with €16,000, while Jauch humorously remarked that the show had become “a ruin.” This intervention appears to have prompted changes in the show's rules regarding repeat participation after winning a bonus round. A viewer informed Jauch of a rule stating that participants who won using a bonus round would face a two-year ban from participating again. Jauch confirmed the rule and assured the audience that no one else would be affected. The episode featured multiple candidates, with five of the six potential contestants making it onto the stage. One of them, a nurse named Claudia Vogt-Schiffner, secured €16,000 before the rule change was addressed. The show’s production team quickly reacted, confirming that the rule had been rescinded. Jauch joked about the situation, saying, “This show is a ruin,” before moving on to the next round. The incident involving the Union Berlin coach question underscores the unpredictable nature of such quiz shows, where even well-known figures can remain obscure to certain audiences. It also demonstrates how hosts like Jauch can influence the course of the game, sometimes stepping in to prevent unnecessary losses for contestants.