Bundesliga OP First Draft

Bundesliga Megathread 2014/2015: Home

[img-lifting the cup]

[i]22 children of the Bundesliga and Shkodran Mustafi brought[/i] it [i]home[/i]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/sp4FF.png[/img]

If you hadn't noticed before, the Bayern-Dortmund Champions League final 2013 certainly cemented the Bundesliga's status as one of the top 3 leagues in Europe and the world. After winning the World Cup thanks to a spine of Bayern players and some others, it's time to put the unity of cheering for the national team behind us and return to the tribalism and hating each other of club football.

Once again, 17 teams vie to dethrone Bayern from their throne. From their fiercest rivals in recent years, Borussia Dortmund, to SC Paderborn who still haven't quite understood how they ended up here and what the hell they're supposed to do. The season will kick off on August 22nd with Bayern-Wolfsburg and end on May 23rd, 2015.

[quote="Healbot" post="417612587"]
[b]What is the Bundesliga?[/b]

It's Germany's topflight in professional football, with 18 teams competing for the championship and European starting spots. Though realistically 8 of those teams will struggle for survival in the vain hope of not placing 16th and lower, the relegation (and play-off) spots, potentially leading to a grim future.

Germany's unified league system developed quite late when compared to England, Spain or Italy, as the Bundesliga was created in 1962 (after a German loss in the WC quarterfinals) and competition starting in 1963/64, with the time during the World Wars being mostly a southern Germany affair.

The Bundesliga is currently the third best football league in Europe and boasts the highest average attendance on the continent (about 41.000).[/quote]

[img-teams]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/15QLM.png[/img]

[b][u]Fußball-Club Bayern München e. V.[/b][/u]
(aka FCB, Bayern, Dusel-Bayern)

[b]Founded:[/b] 1900
[b]Official colours:[/b] red and white
[b]Home ground:[/b] Allianz Arena (71,901)
[b]Biggest rival:[/b] All of them except Bochum
[b]Current Manager:[/b] Josep „Pep“ Guardiola i Sala
[b]Domestic titles:[/b]
[i]Championship:[/i] 1932, 1969, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2014
[i]German Cup:[/i] 1957, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2013,2014
[b]International titles:[/b]
[i]Champion's League:[/i] 1974, 1975, 1976, 2001, 2013
[i]Cup Winner's Cup:[/i] 1967
[i]UEFA-Cup:[/i] 1996

Pep took over the triple-winning side from Jupp Heynckes and disappointed everyone by bringing home a mere double in his first season. Everyone is waiting with bated breath whether Pep has realized how thoroughly Tiki Taka has been killed by now. If he hasn't, the Barcafication of Bayern will continue until even Lewandowski and Neuer are used as central midfielders. If he has, he surely has already hatched a new twist on his philosophy to keep Bayern's dominance. Lacking that, the sheer talent on this team will likely suffice.

Why you should root for them: They win things. You likely know a lot of these guys from the World Cup. Thomas Müller
Why you should hate them: They win too much. Pep lets them play boring football. Bayern winning is boring.


[img]http://i.imgur.com/H9KV7.png[/img]

[b][u]Ballspielverein Borussia 09 e. V. Dortmund[/b][/u]
(aka Borussia Dortmund, BVB)

[b]Founded:[/b] 1909
[b]Official colours:[/b] yellow and black
[b]Home ground:[/b] Signal Iduna Park (80,720)
[b]Biggest rival:[/b] FC Schalke 04
[b]Current Manager:[/b] Jürgen Klopp
[b]Domestic titles:[/b]
[i]Champions:[/i] 1956, 1957, 1963, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2011, 2012
[i]German Cup:[/i] 1965, 1989, 2012
[b]International titles:[/b]
[i]Champions League:[/i] 1997
[i]Cup Winners Cup:[/i] 1966

Bayern's main rival for several years now face a - now familiar - challenge of losing one of their key players to Bayern. Last year it was Götze, this year it's Lewandowski. Other than that the core of the team stayed together, but will have to adjust to Ciro Immobile up front. Klopp has proven that his team are capable to evolvet, so Dortmund should have another good season, marred mainly by bad puns about their new striker.

Why you should root for them: The energy and enthusiasm that Klopp embodies and that has sprung over to the team and the supporters.
Why you should hate them: The energy and aggression that Klopp embodies. Fans starting to feel entitled after a couple of good years. Kevin Großkreutz.


[img]http://i.imgur.com/a6Twe.png[/img]

[b][u] FC Gelsenkirchen-Schalke 04 e.V[/b][/u]
(aka Schalke 04, S04, „Die Knappen“, “4-Minuten-Meister”)

[b]Founded:[/b] 1904
[b]Official colours:[/b] blue and white
[b]Home ground:[/b] Veltins-Arena (61,673)
[b]Biggest rival:[/b] Borussia Dortmund
[b]Current Manager:[/b] Jens Keller
[b]Domestic titles:[/b]
[i]Championship:[/i] 1934, 1935, 1937, 1939, 1940, 1942, 1958
[i]German Cup:[/i] 1937, 1972, 2001, 2002, 2011
[b]International titles:[/b]
[i]UEFA-Cup:[/i] 1997
[i]UI-Cup:[/i] 2009, 2004

While Schalke have regularly finished in the top 4 in recent years, it still feels weird seeing them finish in 3rd place. A talented bunch, most of their season felt like a terrible slog through disappointments sprinkled with the occasional outstanding performance that hinted at what this team could be capable of. The face of this malaise is Jens Keller. Literally. His constant expression of discomfort and concern is an embodiment of Schalke's woes. Despite massive criticism over the inconsisent and sometimes underwhelming performance of the team, Keller has defied the media by not getting fired - yet. One thing is certain: Schalke will continue to be a good source of schadenfreude.

Why you should root for them: True working class roots. Feeling like a plucky underdog despite competing for a top 4 finish with a talented team.
Why you should hate them: Noveau riche thanks to taking on debt/Russian gas money. Club run by bellends (i.e. Clemens Tönnies).


[img]http://i.imgur.com/M23Pj.png[/img]

[b][u]Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH[/b][/u]
(aka Bayer, Werkself, Vizekusen)

[b]Founded:[/b] 1904
[b]Official colours:[/b] red and black
[b]Home ground:[/b] BayArena (30,210)
[b]Biggest rival:[/b] 1. FC Köln
[b]Current Manager:[/b] Roger Schmidt
[b]Domestic titles:[/b]
[i]German Cup:[/i] 1993
[b]International titles:[/b]
[i]UEFA-Cup:[/i] 1988

Sami Hyypiä has been replaced as manager by Roger Schmidt who has been hailed as a great talent ever since leading Paderborn into the 2. Bundesliga and keeping them there. After a two year stint with Red Bull Salzburg, he now has his first chance to prove his management skills at the top level. He will have no excuses for failure. Bayer have, over the past several years, quietly assembled a complete team of great talent and even some depth. A top 4 finish is to be expected, but the competition is fierce this year.

Why you should root for them: A talented team that usually plays attractive football. Pity because they can't consistently sell out their small stadium.
Why you should hate them: They're the original plastic club funded by Bayer. Rudi Völler's aggressive ranting. You fucking hate Leverkusen's loan bullshit.

[img]http://i.imgur.com/HsqD5.png[/img]

[b][u] Verein für Leibesübungen Wolfsburg Fußball GmbH[/b][/u]
(aka VfL Wolfsburg, “Die Wölfe”)

[b]Founded:[/b] 2001 (1945)
[b]Official colours:[/b] green and white
[b]Home ground:[/b] Volkswagen Arena (30,000)
[b]Biggest rival:[/b] The plastic fans really don’t care
[b]Current Manager:[/b] Dieter Hecking
[b]Domestic titles:[/b]
[i]Championship:[/i] 2009

With Hecking at the helm, Wolfsburg have recovered from the often chaotic Magath years. In his first full season, he lead the team to their best finish since their championship with some recognizable names like Luiz Gustavo, Diego Benaglio, Kevin de Bruyne and the indomitable Ivica Olic and a bunch of mediocre talent surrounding them. Surprisingly, Wolfsburg haven't dipped their toes very deep into the transfer pool. Either Hecking is content with adding only defender Sebastian Jung and midfielder Aaron Hunt or he's just waiting for the right target to spend that always plentiful VW money on.

Why you should root for them: They have cool guys like Ivica Olic on the team. You fondly remember Roy Präger.
Why you should hate them: They're a plastic club funded by VW. They're as boring as their city.


[img]http://i.imgur.com/hSOly.png[/img]

[b][u]Borussia Verein für Leibesübungen 1900 Mönchengladbach e. V.[/b][/u]
(aka Borussia Mönchengladbach or "Die Fohlen")

[b]Founded:[/b] 1900
[b]Official colours:[/b] black, white and red
[b]Home ground:[/b] Stadion im Borussia-Park (54,067)
[b]Biggest rival:[/b] 1. FC Köln
[b]Current Manager:[/b] Lucien Favre
[b]Domestic titles:[/b]
[i]Championship:[/i] 1970, 1971, 1975, 1976, 1977
[i]German Cup:[/i] 1960, 1973, 1995
[b]International titles:[/b]
[i]UEFA-Cup:[/i] 1975, 1979

"The other Borussia" is currently enjoying its best spell since the early 1990s team of Effenberg et al., but their reputation stems from the 1970s where they were the main rivals to the golden generation of Bayern. Back then, they were synonymous with an energetic, offensice style, now Lucien Favre has installed his trademark compact 4-4-2 system. It remains to be seen if the team will stagnate in Favre's fourth season or can continue to carefully make steps forward, towards another run into the Europa League.

Why you should root for them: You want to follow a rock-solid team that can upset the top clubs on a good day. You are attracted by their 1970s legacy, including Günter Netzer's fabulous hair.
Why you should hate them: You'd prefer more of a spectacle. You already root for another team from Northrhine-Westphalia.


[img]http://i.imgur.com/EsDch.png[/img]

[b][u]1. Fußball- und Sportverein Mainz 05 e.V.[/b][/u]
(aka Mainz 05, Karnevalsverein)

[b]Founded:[/b] 1905
[b]Official colours:[/b] red and white
[b]Home ground:[/b] Coface Arena (34,034)
[b]Biggest rival:[/b]
[b]Current Manager:[/b] Kasper Hjulmand

After five years at the helm, Thomas "Klopp jr." Tuchel resigned and is being succeeded by former FC Nordsjaelland manager Kaspar Hjulmand. Largely unknown outside of his native Denmark, he has been hailed as a tactical whiz and a great fit for the club by the club's bosses. The team has stayed together for the most part (that part being Choupo-Moting) and has been well-drilled into overachieving by Tuchel. Following Tuchel and his reputation for finely tuning the team's tactics to the opponent and keeping up recent successes still seems like a tall order.

Why you should root for them: You like Karneval, but neither Cologne nor Düsseldorf.
Why you should hate them: You like Karneval, but rather Cologne or Düsseldorf.


[img]http://i.imgur.com/KBpPh.png[/img]

[b][u]Fußball-Club Augsburg 1907 e. V.[/b][/u]
(aka FC Augsburg, FCA)

[b]Founded:[/b] 1907
[b]Official colours:[/b] red, green and white
[b]Home ground:[/b] SGL arena (30,660)
[b]Biggest rival:[/b] TSV 1860 München
[b]Current Manager:[/b] Markus Weinzierl

After two years of barely escaping relegation, Augsburg became overachievers of the year with a surprising 8th place finish. It will be hard to follow that, but if anyone can, it's Augsburg. Manager Weinzierl has a knack for the getting the most out of a mostly mediocre bunch which has earned him a place on the shortlist of every Bundesliga club looking for a new manager.

Why you should root for them: You like overachieving underdogs. You like the risk that the mediocre bunch will not overachieve this year.
Why you should hate them: ####################################################################


[img]http://i.imgur.com/aOshr.png[/img]

[b][u]Turn- und Sportgemeinschaft 1899 Hoffenheim e. V.[/b][/u]
(aka TSG, Hoffe, 18,99, Hoppenheim)

[b]Founded:[/b] 1899
[b]Official colours:[/b] blue and white
[b]Home ground:[/b] Rhein-Neckar-Arena (30,150)
[b]Biggest rival:[/b] real fans, maybe VfB Stuttgart to a certain extent
[b]Current Manager:[/b]  Markus Gisdol

In his youth, Dietmar Hopp played football for TSG Hoffenheim and 27 years later, he decided to give something back and help the small town club. In between, Hopp had founded SAP, a multi-billion euro enterprise, and had become a billionaire himself. He pumped considerable amounts into the club, including training center and a new stadium. And of course a lot of players, although Hopp and Hoffenheim have avoided really big transfers. After a lot of trouble in the locker room, the team seems to have stabilized under Markus Gisdol's leadership. The young team occassionaly shows flashes of the team that stunned the league after their promotion, but is also prone to fall completely apart from time to time.

Why you should root for them: Hoffenheim matches are rarely boring. Pity because no one likes them. You buy into the romantic illusion of the club from a small village making it to the big leagues.
Why you should hate them: They're plastic-est of plastic clubs in the Bundesliga. Despite their pledges of focussing on youth development, most of their young talent is still bought and paid for.


[img]http://i.imgur.com/Sxezt.png[/img]

[b][u]Hannoverscher Sportverein von 1896 e. V.[/b][/u]
(aka Hannover 96, Die 96er, Die Roten)

[b]Founded:[/b] 1896
[b]Official colours:[/b] black, white and green
[b]Home ground:[/b] AWD-Arena (49,000)
[b]Biggest rival:[/b] Werder Bremen
[b]Current Manager:[/b] Tayfun Orkut
[b]Domestic titles:[/b]
[i]Championship:[/i] 1938, 1954
[i]German Cup:[/i] 1992
[b]International titles:[/b]
[i]UI Cup:[/i] 1967, 1972, 1973

4th, 7th, 9th, 10th - these are the last four season finishes of Hannover. This slow slide downward cost Mirko Slomka his job. Had his magic worn off or was it just the result of the talent getting picked from the team bit by bit and not adequately replaced. The trend seems to continue this season and, despite his stormy name, Tayfun Orkut has not yet left an impression. Maybe he can with a full pre-season and lead Hannover to a solid mid-table finish (even though expectations may be higher than that) or he could be found to be completely out of his depth and throw the team into the relegation battle.

Why you should root for them: ####################################################################
Why you should hate them: ####################################################################


[img]http://i42.tinypic.com/2zr2q89.png[/img]

[b][u]Hertha BSC Berlin[/b][/u]
[b]Founded:[/b]  1892
[b]Official colours:[/b] blue and white
[b]Home ground:[/b] Olympiastadion Berlin (74,244)
[b]Biggest rival:[/b] ####################################################################
[b]Current Manager:[/b] Jos Luhukay
[b]Domestic titles:[/b]
[i]Championship:[/i] 1930, 1931

After their return to the Bundesliga in 1997, Hertha was a club full of ambition befitting the club from the nation's capital. Years of misguided actions and overpaying for mediocre players culminated one Champions League run, but ultimately led to turmoil and relegation. Today, Hertha got their shit (somewhat) together and are helmed by Jos Luhukay who furthers his reputation as unspectacular, but solid manager and should continue to do so.

Why you should root for them: Berlin. :cool:
Why you should hate them: Berlin. :rolleyes: Their fans are an aggressive bunch prone to demolishing their own stadium.


[img]http://i.imgur.com/G3tCA.png[/img]

[b][u] Sport-Verein Werder von 1899 e. V. Bremen[/b][/u]
(aka Werder Bremen, Werder, “Die Fischköppe”)

[b]Founded:[/b]  1899
[b]Official colours:[/b] green and white
[b]Home ground:[/b] Weserstadion (43,789)
[b]Biggest rival:[/b] Hamburger SV
[b]Current Manager:[/b] Robin Dutt
[b]Domestic titles:[/b]
[i]Championship:[/i] 1965, 1988, 1993, 2004
[i]German Cup:[/i] 1961, 1991, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009
[b]International titles:[/b]
[i]UI-Cup:[/i] 1998
[i]Cup Winners’ Cup:[/i] 1992

Werder has fallen far from grace. Once a side playing a high-risk "score one more than the opponent" style that was a joy to watch and - for the longest time - successful, they have turned into a mediocre team that seems to lack a coherent vision. Robin Dutt, part of the "concept manager" fad, is still trying to find something to shape this team into before the reputation he built during his stint with Freiburg runs out. The team and the transfers don't inspire confidence and it looks to be another long slog until relegation is mathematically impossible.

Why you should root for them: You still believe they're just one step away from returning to their early 2000s form.
Why you should hate them: ####################################################################


[img]http://i.imgur.com/sU20m.png[/img]

[b][u]Eintracht Frankfurt e. V.[/b][/u]
(aka Die Adler, SGE, Schlappekicker, Launische Diva)

[b]Founded:[/b] 1899
[b]Official colours:[/b] Red, black and white
[b]Home ground:[/b] Commerzbank-Arena (51.500)
[b]Biggest rival:[/b] Kickers Offenbach
[b]Current Manager: [/b] Thomas Schaaf
[b]Domestic titles:[/b]
[i]Championship:[/i] 1959
[i]German Cup:[/i] 1974, 1975, 1981, 1988
[b]International titles:[/b]
[i]Cup Winners' Cup:[/i] 1980

The "moody diva" has shed this image ever since Heribert Bruchhagen took over the business side of the club. Even the 2011 relegation did not result in panic spending, but Bruchhagen continued to impose his calm, northern prudence on the club. The northern influence will be strengthened by Thomas Schaaf who, after a one year hiatus, will not wear the Werder crest for the first time in forever. His predecessor Armin Veh built a solid team which worked well as a unit and it will be interesting to see whether Schaaf follows in his footstep or implements his trademark "score one more than the opponent" style.

Why you should root for them: You hope Schaaf turns them into the new Werder.
Why you should hate them: Their fans are terrible bunch who once hailed themselves "German rioting champions".


[timg]http://i.imgur.com/3GMNl.png[/timg]

[b][u]Sport-Club Freiburg[/b][/u]
(aka Breisgau Brasilianer)

[b]Founded:[/b] 1904
[b]Official colours:[/b] red and white
[b]Home ground:[/b] Badenova-Stadion (24,000)
[b]Biggest rival:[/b] VfB Stuttgart
[b]Current Manager:[/b] Christian Streich

Despite being a rather small club, Freiburg has established itself as a familiar name in the Bundesliga and built up a lot of sympathy. Usually associated with young players playing attractive short-passing football, Christian Streich has strayed a bit from this image. A media darling, sometimes choleric on the sideline, but always a hard, thorough worker, his team plays with more safety in mind than the clichés about Freiburg imply. Likely that's because they're well aware that the 5th place finish in 12/13 was, mostly, a fluke. They have, however, produced some talent that's gone on to bigger things and may even hold on to world champion Matthias Ginter.

Why you should root for them: They are from a small, relaxed town full of students with a Green mayor.
Why you should hate them: It's not been the same ever since Finke left.


[img]http://i.imgur.com/KX9CO.png[/img]

[b][u]Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart 1893 e. V.[/b][/u]
(aka VfB)

[b]Founded:[/b] 1893
[b]Official colours:[/b] white and red
[b]Home ground:[/b] Mercedes-Benz Arena (41,000+ during the ongoing remodeling, 60,300 once finished)
[b]Biggest rival:[/b]
[b]Current Manager:[/b] Bruno Labbadia
[b]Domestic titles:[/b]
[i]Championship:[/i] 1950, 1952, 1984, 1992, 2007
[i]German Cup:[/i] 1954, 1958, 1997

Their saviour is here: Armin Veh is back as manager and the Stuttgart faithful this marks an end to the string of terrible managers in charge ever since he left. They also hope that he can turn the offense, which looks good on paper, into a real, consistent threat, and fix the defence, too. His last stint in Frankfurt proved that he can mold a mediocre team into a good unit and he arguably has a slightly higher level of talent available here.

Why you should root for them: ####################################################################
Why you should hate them: ####################################################################


[img]http://i.imgur.com/7V2HT.png[/img]

[b][u]Hamburger Sport-Verein e.V.[/b][/u]
(aka HSV, Rothosen)

[b]Founded:[/b] 1887
[b]Official colours:[/b] blue, white and black
[b]Home ground:[/b] Imtech Arena (57,000)
[b]Biggest rival:[/b] St. Pauli, Werder Bremen
[b]Current Manager:[/b] Mirko Slomka
[b]Domestic titles:[/b]
[i]Championship:[/i] 1923, 1928, 1960, 1979, 1982, 1983
[i]German Cup:[/i] 1963, 1976, 1987
[b]International titles:[/b]
[i]European Cup:[/i] 1983
[i]Cup Winners' Cup:[/i] 1977

"H-H-H-S-V!" is a classic chant of Hamburg supporters, "Ha ha, HSV!" is what we post when the league's prime source for schadenfreude delivers again. The club itself was notoriously torn apart by the egos of its board members whose feuds were well chronicled in the local tabloids which has prevented any sense of realism arriving about their steady decline. This summer, a club reform was voted on that should reduce the infighting, only to be challenged in court over a formality (which couldn't/can't really stop it, though). The last founding member of the Bundesliga to never be relegated, Hamburg barely dodged the bullet in the last two years, "winning" the relegation playoff against Fürth with two draws last season. If the new regime doesn't start rebuilding the team fast and hard, it will be another very, very difficult season for them.

Why you should root for them: You find the backroom chaos endearing or just delight in schadenfreude. You genuinely think they're just one step away from the big turnaround.
Why you should hate them: You want this team/club put out of its misery and finally punted into the 2. Bundesliga.


[img-köln]

[b][u]1. Fußball-Club Köln 01/07 e.V.[/b][/u]
[b]Founded:[/b]  1948 (merger of two clubs founded in 1901 and 1907)
[b]Official colours:[/b] red and white
[b]Home ground:[/b] RheinEnergieStadion	(49.968)
[b]Biggest rival:[/b] Bayer Leverkusen, Fortuna Düsseldorf
[b]Current Manager:[/b] Peter Stöger
[b]Domestic titles:[/b]
[i]Championship:[/i] 1962, 1964, 1978
[i]German Cup:[/i] 1968, 1977, 1978, 1983

Welcome back to one of the names that's part of the Bundesliga's inventory. Since their first ever relegation 1998, Köln have been bouncing back and forth between leagues. There's always a sense of this condition only being a temporary inconvenience, but the club seems to have realized that you shouldn't spend as if you're going to qualify for the Europa League in your first season back. On paper, Köln's team looks like a top 2. Bundesliga contender, but, as always, it remains to be seen where that puts you in the top flight.

Why you should root for them: You like Karneval, but neither Mainz nor Düsseldorf. You think Kölsch is actually beer.
Why you should hate them: Poldi is not here anymore. You're rooting for another club from along the Rhine.


[img-paderborn]

[b][u]SC Paderborn 07 e.V.[/b][/u]
(aka SCP)

[b]Founded:[/b] 1907
[b]Official colours:[/b] blue, black and white
[b]Home ground:[/b] easyCredit-Stadion (48,553)
[b]Biggest rival:[/b] ####################################################################
[b]Current Manager:[/b] André Breitenreiter

This season's team that's just happy to be here, replacing Eintracht Braunschweig in that capacity. Where Eintracht Braunschweig was a name with a lot of tradition attached, Paderborn are joining the likes of SSV Ulm and SpVgg Unterhaching in the "Who? How did they get in here?" category. If the club is known for anything, it's that Roger Schmidt, Leverkusen's new manager, built his reputation here. While the team features a couple of names you might have heard somewhere before (e.g. Amedick, Vrancic, Stoppelkamp, Duksch), anything beyond "a respectable showing" would be a huge surprise.

Why you should root for them: The biggest underdog the league has to offer this year.
Why you should hate them: How can you hate something you know nothing about?

[b]When are they playing?[/b]

The German Bundesliga usually plays all games of a matchday in "one" piece. No "x games in hand" crap to keep in mind unless winter or rain strike really hard.

The standard Bundesliga weekend looks like this:
[list][*]Friday, 20:30: 1 game
[*]Saturday, 15:30: 5 games
[*]Saturday, 18:30: 1 game
[*]Sunday, 15:30: 1 game
[*]Sunday, 17:30: 1 game[/list]
In some weeks with European competitions mid-week, the Friday game gets preemted. There's also going to be some mid-week fixtures. On the last two weekends, all 9 games are played simultaneously, saturdays, 15:30 which makes for good drama (just ask Schalke).

If you're unsure if there are games, [url=http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3615847]ask Wazza's Magical Fixture Link[/url].



[img-othercompetitions]

As always, this thread will be open to discussion to all things German football from the cup and the national team to the dreary depths of the 2. Bundesliga.


[b]Other resources[/b]

[url=www.bundesliga.de]Bundesliga.de[/url] (German/English) - The league's official site and decent news source

[url=www.kicker.de]Kicker[/url] (German) - Germany's biggest sports magazine (which means football + a couple of pages of other stuff), website can be a bit of a pain to navigate

[url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/bundesligafootball]The Guardian[/url] (English) - The Guardian's Bundesliga section (Trigger warning: Rafa Honigstein)

[url=http://www.espnfc.com/german-bundesliga/10/index]ESPN FC[/url] (English) - ESPN's Bundesliga coverage (Trigger warning: usage of the s-word)

[url=www.kicktipp.de/goons]Kicktipp[/url] (German/English) - A "guess the score" game. Don't forget to tipp your kicks!