Borussia Dortmund: A Giant of German Football
Borussia Dortmund, commonly known as BVB, is one of the biggest and most successful football clubs in Germany. Based in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia, the club has won eight Bundesliga titles, five DFB-Pokal cups, and one UEFA Champions League title. With over 145,000 members, BVB has the highest membership of any football club worldwide. In this article, we will take a closer look at the history, success, and culture of Borussia Dortmund.
History
Borussia Dortmund was founded in 1909 by eighteen football players from Dortmund. The club's name "Borussia" comes from the Latin name for Prussia. In the early years, Dortmund played in the regional Westphalian league. They won their first national championship in 1956 and had further success in the 1960s, winning three Bundesliga titles.
The club experienced its golden era in the late 1990s and early 2000s under the leadership of coach Ottmar Hitzfeld. Led by players like Matthias Sammer, Andreas Möller, and Karl-Heinz Riedle, Dortmund won the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double in 1995 and 1996. Their greatest achievement came in 1997 when they won the UEFA Champions League, defeating Juventus 3-1 in the final.
In the early 2000s, Dortmund continued their domestic success under coach Jürgen Klopp, winning two Bundesliga titles in 2002 and 2011. However, financial issues led the club to sell off star players like Robert Lewandowski and Shinji Kagawa in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Under Thomas Tuchel in the mid-2010s, Dortmund re-emerged as title contenders, finishing runner-up in the Bundesliga three times.
Culture and Support
Borussia Dortmund is renowned for having some of the most passionate fans in German football. Dortmund's home stadium Signal Iduna Park has a capacity of over 80,000, making it the largest football-specific stadium in Germany. On matchdays, the stadium is filled with a sea of yellow and black as fans sing, chant, and cheer on their beloved team.
BVB fans take pride in cultivating a family-friendly atmosphere and oppose violence or radicalism. However, the club has also had to deal with far-right elements among its support in the past. Overall, Dortmund fans are known for their loyalty, humor, and joyful celebration of the "Beautiful Game." Chants of "You'll Never Walk Alone" before home matches have also become a famous tradition.
The strong fan culture and support have helped Dortmund rise to prominence both in Germany and internationally. Even during periods of financial struggle, supporters remained committed to filling the stadium and backing their team. This passionate fanbase is a big reason why Dortmund is considered one of the most well-supported clubs in world football.
Current Era and Success
In recent seasons, Borussia Dortmund has re-established itself as a powerhouse both domestically and in Europe under the leadership of coach Lucien Favre and young stars like Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland.
In the Bundesliga, Dortmund has pushed Bayern Munich competitively, finishing runner-up in 2018, 2019, and 2021. During the 2020-21 season, Dortmund held the top spot in the table for several months before ultimately finishing second behind Bayern.
In Europe, Dortmund has reached the quarterfinals of the Champions League in 2019 and 2021. They also made the final of the UEFA Europa League in 2017, losing to José Mourinho's Manchester United.
Individually, players like Sancho, Haaland, Marco Reus, and Mats Hummels have achieved both team and personal success. Sancho in particular emerged as one of the world's most exciting young talents before earning a big-money move to Manchester United.
Looking ahead, Dortmund will continue aiming to dethrone Bayern as Bundesliga champions while also wanting to make another deep Champions League run. With their passionate support and talented squad, Borussia Dortmund remains one of the top clubs in European football. Their story is a testament to the power of a strong fan culture and commitment to youth development.