One of the great features of the German season is the battle of the three top Ruhr clubs, – Schalke, Dortmund and Bochum. These fixtures are always contested in front of a full house, the fans are fiercely loyal and there is always some controvesy. Perhaps the pick of these games is Schalke v. Dortmund. In recent years Schalke has claimed the bragging rights, and I’m tipping them for a 2-0 victory.
Other games of note are Frankfurt v. Bremen and Leverkusen v. Berlin
Leverkusen – Hertha 2:1
Stuttgart – Bochum 1:0
Hamburg – Nürnberg 0:0
Bayern – Cottbus 2:1
Gladbach – Mainz 1:1
Frankfurt – Bremen 2:6
Hannover – Bielefeld 1:1
Schalke – Dortmund 3:1
Wolfsburg – Aachen 1:2
Hamburg v. St Pauli is another great derby, and let’s not forget Bayern v. Munich 1860. Pity these two fixtures are not part of the calender this season.
When Bayern come to town it is always a big occasion. They are the most successful club in Germany and everyone wants to beat them. Usually a sellout crowd and great atmosphere. Bayern’s Bavarian rivals are Nuernberg – that’s a pretty big game. However these games do not have the passion of the Ruhr derby games.
How about games involving Bayern Munich?
Without a doubt THE most passionate games of the season.
Are the Ruhr derby games the most passionate in Germany?
Frankfurt v Bremen – Can Takahara – the ‘sushi bomber’- get another hatrick? I don’t think so, but, as I’ve got family living near Frankfurt, I’m hoping Frankfurt can pull off a victory and make the race for the top spot even more interesting in the Bundesliga.