Berlin in the 1960s was the scene of extreme political tension, the domination of a ruthless, oppressive regime and the desperate plight of fearless optimists in want of a better life.

Similarities to modern-day Tasmania's treatment at the hands of national football competitions are uncanny.

In the midst of this sensitive situation emerged an achievement which forever bonds the German capital and the Australian state.

In 1965-66, a stunning record was set of 31 consecutive games without a victory in Germany's top-flight football league, the Bundesliga.

It was achieved by SC Tasmania 1900 Berlin, a team as proud of their under-performance as they are of their bizarre link to our fair isle.

So proud, in fact, that the profile to the club's 766 followers on Twitter rejoices in the description: "Historische Bundesliga-Gurken", which Google translates as "Historic Bundesliga cucumbers".

Leaving aside the wisdom of comparing themselves to salad staples, the club's website goes even further, proclaiming them the "worst Bundesliga club of all time".

The 55-year-old non-achievement has suddenly come to light because, unthinkably, it was briefly under threat.

If Schalke had failed to beat Hoffenheim in January, it would have tied the record.

Fortunately, following prolonged protests from furious Tasmania fans carrying banners proclaiming: "That's our record!", Schalke did the decent thing and won the game 4-0.

So the record survived, and turned the global spotlight on this sporting minnow and its geographically-odd name.

The club's magnificent failure has subsequently received worldwide attention, with an AAP report running as far afield as the BBC in England and SBS in Australia.

Sporting News ran a story beneath the headline: "Who are Tasmania Berlin? The Bundesliga's worst-ever club with an Aussie name."

"Thankfully for both clubs, Schalke's horror run did come to an end and Tasmania's claim to being the Bundesliga's worst-ever club can still not be questioned," it said, concluding: "If you're an Australian in search of a German club to support, look no further."

When the story was reported on ABC Radio, the club excitedly tweeted: "We're on the Mexican... oh, sorry, on the Tasmanian radio!"

As the number in its name suggests, SC Tasmania 1900 Berlin was founded in 1900 by a group of Berliners who had visions of emigrating to greener pastures so named the club after the most distant island they could think of.

Apparently, they had minimal knowledge of Tasmania, never visited and would not score highly if quizzed on the state's unique sporting landscape. The comparisons to Gillon McLachlan are creepy.

Based in the south-east district of Neukoelln playing home games next to Tempelhof Airport, the club's proudest feat came about by accident.

In 1965, Berlin's only Bundesliga side, Hertha BSC, was relegated for breaking salary rules - good to know some things never change in sport.

Keen to keep a Berlin club in the league, the German Football Association devised a system whereby the third-placed regional club would be promoted, ironically alongside modern-day Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Monchengladbach.

Tasmania stepped up to the plate, and after hitting a home run with a 2-0 win over Karlsruhe, had to wait another 31 games for their next victory in the penultimate round.

Unsurprisingly, they subsequently went through financial difficulties until being declared bankrupt in 1973.

However, like a phoenix from the flames, they were replaced by SV Tasmania 73 Neukoelln which proudly trumpeted both the Australian name and the unmatched 1965-66 record.

It now competes in the fifth-tier Oberliga with a squad of 26, headlined by Robben. Sadly, that's Rene, the little-known German, not Arjen, the Champions League-winning Dutchman. However, rumour has it that Antonio Rudiger, latterly of English Premier League side Chelsea, is believed to have played there.

Merchandise at the club's shop includes fetching blue shirts with slogans such as "You'll never fail alone", another clear reference to Tasmania's doomed efforts to join either the AFL or A-League.

Arguably, Tasmania's second most famous connection with Berlin is Peter Sanders, who lived there for 12 years before leaving in 1986 (three years before the wall came down), joining The Examiner and settling in the suspiciously German-sounding East Coast township of Goshen.

Although unaware of SV Tasmania 73 Neukoelln, Sanders did attempt to build on the bond between the locations on his subsequent return with Berlin-born wife, Inge.

"We went back a couple of years after the wall came down and people in the east did not believe Tasmania actually existed," he said. "I had to draw them a map of Australia with an island beneath it."

As we now have a Premier with a surname of German origin meaning "good wine" who is frustrated by Tasmania's treatment by the country's major football league, maybe this is what Peter Gutwein needs to do with the AFL.