Hooligans

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Sunday marked the date of Hertha BSC Berlin’s home football match against Wolfsburg. We attended the game as a class, and despite the 0-0 draw outcome, the game was an exciting and entertaining experience. Though last year both teams were highly competitive in the Bundesliga, neither team has performed very well this season. The Olympiadstation, a location of staggering history, holds a maximum of 74,000 fans, and only about half of the available seats were filled for the Sunday matchup.

Hertha does not hold a monopoly on Berlin football; Union Berlin, a football club originating in East Germany, is also popular. In addition, the 2009-2010 season marks the first year Union Berlin has competed in 2. Bundesliga, which is Germany’s second-best professional league. Making things more interesting, Hertha’s poor performance this year could mean a demotion to 2. Bundesliga, resulting in league competition between Berlin’s two teams!