 |
 |
Rivals, The Offbeat Guide To The 92 League Clubs, is one of the best derby books available.
Read the review  |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
| Schalke 04 - Borussia Dortmund (1-2) |
| Bundesliga, 14 May 2005 |
| Stadium : Arena Auf Schalke |
| Attendance : 61.524 |
Our journey started in Utrecht (Holland). With 120 dutch fans from several clubs like ADO Den Haag, Ajax, Feyenoord, FC Utrecht and Spakenburg we made the 2,5 hour trip by coach to Gelsenkirchen. Despite the fact that Dortmund has a Dutch coach at the moment (Bert van Marwijk) most of the fans in our bus were 'Schalker'.
When we arrived 'Auf Schalke' 2 hours before kick-off it was already very crowded around the stadium and the parking place was full with coaches from every where. One of the sponsors had organised a penalty kicking game just before the main entrance and beer, Bratwurst and good weather did make a good atmosphere.
In the hours left my son, brother in law and myself visited the fanshop, museum and the impressive training ground. Amazing to see the fans wearing several scarfs, not only of their own club Schalke but also anti-Dortmund and anti-Bayern scarfs.
It was really a blue-white sea around the stadium with whole families and big groups of people visiting this derby and showing their commitment to their club.
45 minutes before kick-off we saw the arrival of the hard-core Dortmund fans and it became clear that this derby was a high-risk one because between every bus with Dortmund fans was escorted by a police bus. A yellow-black army was released and made clear that the three points should go to Dortmund this afternoon.
In the stadium we were seated in a block with Schalke and Dortmund fans just above the special area for the 6.000 Dortmund fans. Just before kick-off they released a few hundred black and yellow balloons and created yellow smoke by fireworks.
The Schalker Nordkurve did show a huge banner covering the whole stand presenting their ground as a castle in which they would beat Dortmund.The crowd and teams were warmed up well ...
During the game it was impressing to hear the Nordkurve singing: Schalke ! and to hear the reaction from the Sudkurve : Nul , Vier !
Allthough we were in a block with both Dortmund and Schalke fans there was hardly any violence and hooliganism, it looks if these fans know their limit. I am only wondering if the old man overloaded with beer after the first Dortmund goal agrees with me.
Due to the score (1-2) the BVB fans went crazy after 90 minutes : a derby victory after 6 and a half years. The Dortmund players and trainers came to our corner to thank their fans and were realizing this victory was the highlight of a season that started so miserable.
Pictures thanks to :
www.schwatzgelb.com
Click here for more pictures.
www.desperados-dortmund.de
Click here for more pictures.
www.ultras-ge.de
Click here for more pictures.
Report added : 18 May 2005
Report by : Rob Vonk
|
|
 |
|
