After a hectic final matchday, the Bundesliga season is over — and the stay in the Bundesliga for some sides, as well. FC Köln joined Darmstadt in relegation, while Bochum will play a relegation playoff against 2. Bundesliga side Fortuna Düsseldorf. Going into the final day, many teams still had all to play for. SV Darmstadt […]
When Bayern Munich signed Armindo Sieb on a free transfer in 2020, it looked like the Bavarian giants had pulled off a massive coup. The 17-year-old was coming off a strong year with Hoffenheim’s u17s, scoring ten goals and assisting five in fifteen matches. He had scored six more for Germany’s u17s, recording hattricks against
When Max Kruse was signed by SC Paderborn in July, it looked like an astute signing by the 2. Bundesliga side. The German international brought experience and goals — 97 Bundesliga goals, to be exact — to the club, which has been in the second tier since relegation in 2020. For Kruse, this offered a
In 2011, 19-year-old Marcel Halstenberg left Hannover 96 II for Borussia Dortmund II. Now, after twelve years, 165 Bundesliga appearances, nine Germany appearances, and two DFB Pokal trophies, he is returning to his former club. The reported transfer fee is around €500k. After over a decade with Hannover’s youth teams, Halstenberg left the club, having
When Hertha Berlin beat Hamburg SV in the Bundesliga Promotion/Relegation Play-offs last year, it looked like the club had turned a corner. Hertha, which had not been in Germany’s second tier since 2013, endured a miserable season but some late victories were enough to stay alive. However, a final-day defeat combined with a late Stuttgart
The Bundesliga 2 season is ending, and it is increasingly apparent which clubs will return to Germany’s top flight. At the top of the league, Darmstadt and Heidenheim look like favorites for automatic promotion, with both being at least three points clear of the third-placed side Hamburg SV. Hamburg, meanwhile, is four points clear from
Not long ago, Hamburger SV was one of Germany’s top teams. In 1983, they won the European Cup, the precursor to the Champions League. In 1987, they won the DFB Pokal for the third time, the last time they’ve won it up to date. They’ve won the league a further six times, but not since
Schalke 04 have one of the best academies in the world. Over the past few years, many of Germany’s top names have come from their academy: Manuel Neuer, Leroy Sané, Ilkay Gündogan, Julian Draxler, and more. Mesut Özil joined the side at a young age, while US international Weston McKennie did the same. Despite this,
The Bundesliga playoff ended on Monday, with Werder Bremen drawing 2-2 with FC Heidenheim. This, combined with a first leg in Bremen that finished 0-0 means that Werder Bremen will continue to play in the Bundesliga, and Heidenheim will have to stay in the Bundesliga 2, the second tier of German soccer. Those two away
After a long season, the top two tiers of German football have wrapped up. I reviewed the Bundesliga season in an earlier post, which can be found here, and now all that remains is a two legged playoff tie on July 2 and July 6. There was some final day drama, which includes former Bundesliga