Since last week the Worldwide media has been busy praising the Bayern team and the rise of the German football with Borussia Dortmund completing an all German Champions League Final. I believe even the most hardcore fans weren't expecting such a win against Barcelona, so the media is right to make such a "noise". However for the people that follow closely the Bundesliga and German football this has been coming for some time. Let me explain why:
- For many years now, Bundesliga has been leading the standings for the average attendance. With about 45,000 spectators per match it has a huge lead over second place (Premier League) that has less than 35,000. This is a result of several factors that include big, modern stadiums, low ticket price, competitive games, etc.
- For more than 20 years Bundesliga is leading the average goals per game statistics for the top 5 European Leagues (Bundesliga, Premier League, Primera Division, Seria A and Ligue 1). This is a clear indication that the league is playing attractive football.
- Bundesliga is the only big league where all the clubs have solid financial foundations. DFB has very strict rules on the financial regulations and unlike other countries the 50+1 rule doesn't allow anyone to buy a club (50+1% of the club is owned by the fans).
- All the work started by the DFB in early 2000 (the collapse of German football) is starting to pay back. Most of the clubs have excellent junior academies and every year more and more talents are making a mark.
- In the last 10 years 5 different teams have won the Bundesliga (Bremen 04, Stuttgart 07, Wolfsburg 09, Dortmund 11, 12 and Bayern 05, 06, 08, 10, 13). In the same time in Premier League 4 teams (Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal) have won it (Chelsea and Manchester City after spending billions of dollars), in Primera Division only 3 teams (Valencia, Barcelona and Real Madrid) and in Seria A only 3 teams (Milan, Inter & Juventus). Only Ligue 1 has 5 different winners, but only after Lyon won 7 in a row. This is a clear indication that Bundesliga is the most competitive league, but most people failed to acknowledge that.
However aside from the fact that the World has started to praise the Bundesliga, the most significant factor of Bayern win (and Borussia's win as well) is the fact that a German team will win the Champions League. It's the first trophy for a German team (including clubs & National team) since Bayern win in 2001. The list of near misses is quite long and includes:
- National Team's lost final against Brasil in World Cup 2002.
- Bayer Leverkusen's lost final against Real Madrid in Champions League 2002.
- Borussia Dortmund's lost final against Feyenoord in Europa League 2002.
- National Team's lost semi-final against Italy in World Cup 2006.
- National Team's lost final against Spain in European Championship 2008.
- Werder Bremen's lost final against Shakhtar Donetsk in Europa League 2009.
- National Team's lost semi-final against Spain in World Cup 2010.
- Bayern Munich's lost final against Inter in Champions League 2010.
- National Team's lost semi-final against Italy in European Championship 2012.
- Bayern Munich's lost final against Chelsea in Champions League 2012.
Hopefully this Champions League win will be a big boost to the confidence of German clubs & players and many more will continue :)
Every football fan around the World should have enjoyed the final moments of the last night Champions League game Dortmund vs Malaga. It's a classic that will be long remembered. Listen below to the live radio commentary on German and enjoy!
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