Eintracht Frankfurt’s victory in the Europa League is a major turning point: German football could finally become really exciting again.
Players hugging and crying tears of joy. They cheer like they did when they were children when they won the school trophy. A club president who wants to drink from the pot (read more here). Scenes from a historic football evening. The stadium in the Spanish metropolis of Seville is shaking because Frankfurt is celebrating – and the whole of football Germany can actually join the party. Because this victory gives hope.
25 years after the “Eurofighters” from FC Schalke 04, Eintracht Frankfurt wins the Europa League and thus plays in the Champions League next season. The move marks the renaissance of traditional German clubs.
Werder Bremen and Schalke 04 are promoted back to the Bundesliga, Hamburger SV can still do it: This Thursday evening, Hamburg will play in the first leg of the relegation leg at Hertha BSC. The northern derby Bremen against Hamburg could soon take place again in the Bundesliga.
The Bavarians in self-destruction mode
With Freiburg, Cologne and Union Berlin, three German teams will start in the Europa League in the coming season, which can create a similar enthusiasm as Eintracht Frankfurt.
These teams are arming themselves – and are looking happily to Munich, where FC Bayern seems to have been in self-mutilation mode for weeks. Players want to leave, like goalscorer Robert Lewandowski. The record champions are in trouble. Quite a few believe that a more exciting title race is possible.
It is the hope of the fans for a Bundesliga with supporters with powerful voices, more exciting games, more balanced competition – the hope for a better future for German football that some no longer dared to dream of.