Bundesliga review part 2. the new one :)

[Scaring Europe to Death]

In fairness to Innsbruckblue, it was me who asked the original question, mainly because I was genuinely curious, as to how such a new and apparently disliked club, could average 25,000. On the other hand, I can remember their neighbours featuring regularly in the UEFA Cup in the mid 70s.
Ironically, many younger Germans view City as a plastic club, and might ask similar questions next season when only United and Arsenal are getting bigger crowds.

 

[Tbilisi]

Lets not start the argument again.

I'm going to the Stuttgart v City game, but the day before I'll be making a trip to Kaiserslautern. I remember watching them play on TV in Europe (I think it was the Champions League) when Rösler went there, and I like the design of the stadium. I wasn't aware until a few years ago, but I read that they were promoted to the Bundesliga and then won it the following season, and I think they are the only club to do that. At one stage I thought they could become my German team, but to my horror I realised the translation of their nickname is Red Devils and they sing YNWA. Completely ruins it.

Still, I'm looking forward to visiting the stadium. Can anyone recommend what to do in the city? Should be there about 1ish and the match doesn't kick off until 8.30.

I think I'll also manage to get to Karlsruhe for their game against St Pauli. Can't really drink too much at that one as I'll have to drive home from the airport later that evening, but again - is there anything I should look out for there?

I went about 20 years ago to see them play Lauteren,was only there for the day so cant really help.

 

[Bembeltown]

In fairness to Innsbruckblue, it was me who asked the original question, mainly because I was genuinely curious, as to how such a new and apparently disliked club, could average 25,000. On the other hand, I can remember their neighbours featuring regularly in the UEFA Cup in the mid 70s.
Ironically, many younger Germans view City as a plastic club, and might ask similar questions next season when only United and Arsenal are getting bigger crowds.

The main problem is that whenever a German team plays against the likes of Chelsea, City and PSG the media keeps talking about the windfall of those clubs and how they are sponsored by Mansour, Abramovic (spelling?) and the guy at PSG.

The average football fan in Germany doesnt really follow the PL or even a certain team, so they don´t bother reading up about events of the past, clubs history etc. so the picture of a "plastic" club sticks in their head.

Whenever I come across someone bullshitting City I try to educate them about your history and how football in England works different to the BL and that in fact the only chance for a club to break into the top 4 is by getting a "sugardaddy".

Normally people then start to understand that City is far from the equivalent of a club like RB Leipzig in Germany, but as long as the Media plays a huge part in forming people´s opinion there is unfortunately not much we can do I guess.

@aidan: I am happy you decided against picking up Lautern as your second team. Supporting Lautern usually involves a "relationship" to your mother and sister which is far from healthy. ;) Lautern is the equivalent of Stoke...inbreed,6 fingered bastards.

Unfortunately I cant offer any advice on how to spend your time in Lautern/Karlsruhe either. Lautern is our derby so I usually try not to spend more time than necessary down there.

Same with Karlsruhe to be honest. ;)

 

[cptaidan88]

I am happy you decided against picking up Lautern as your second team. Supporting Lautern usually involves a "relationship" to your mother and sister which is far from healthy. ;) Lautern is the equivalent of Stoke...inbreed,6 fingered bastards.

Unfortunately I cant offer any advice on how to spend your time in Lautern/Karlsruhe either. Lautern is our derby so I usually try not to spend more time than necessary down there.

Same with Karlsruhe to be honest. ;)

I've already seen the error of my ways a few years ago. Not looking forward to walking up the hill to the ground either.

 

[Schalker]

I always loved to go to the Betzenberg when they were in the 1.Bundesliga.
Good atmosphere and rivalry not like traveling to Leverkusen Wolfsburg or Ingolstadt.

Ok once we had to protect our injured players Varela and Kmetsch when they were sitting next to us on the main stand ,next to a few Schalke Supporters (us) and the local crowd.
They are called the Red Devils for that :o))))

 

[Bembeltown]

I really like to play there as well, great ground and not the standard "arena" like layout. Added benefit is the roof and the stands close to the pitch which can turn the place into a cauldron.

Usually a great atmosphere as well and even tough they are inbreed bastards they do support their club with a lot of passion. Always lots of fun to play down there with Frankfurt.



Lauuuuuuutern Schweiiiiiinee......Lauuuuuuuutern Schweiiiiineeee! ;)

 

[PinkFinal]

Anyone in Germany who can post me the new Kicker Sonderheft if I pay you through Paypal? I guess £11 would cover all costs? PM if you can help.

Thanks.

 

[Schalker]

Is there a British counter part to "KIcker Sonderheft"?

 

[Alex - City Matters]

So whilst on holiday, I sort of broke into Stade Brest's ground. Had to take the opportunity to put a FCI sticker down... ;)

 

[Ruhr]

Bundesliga 2 started on the weekend. The Zebras from Duisburg came down from a hype about their promotion and were easily beaten by Kaiserslautern´s red devils 1-3. 1860 started with another defeat (1-0) at Heidenheim. Tiny little Sandhausen had a surprising 3-1 away win at Braunschweig but stays bottom because of a 3 point deduction. League favorites RB Leipzig started with a 1-0 away win at the Bornheim slope (FSV Frankfurt).

In League 3 1.FC Magdeburg played their first ever match on a national level since the german reunification, beating RW Erfurt 2-1. League 3 is now being nicknamed as the return of the old east german top division with 8 east german clubs in it. Dynamo Dresden had a perfect start with a 4-1 win over Stuttgart´s U 23, while Holstein Kiel, losing last season´s promotion play-offs, was shocked by a 0-4 home defeat to Mainz 05 U 23 team.