The Bundesliga Experience
An evergreen topic of discussion in footballing circles is that of the best Football League in the world. By “in the world”, I mean the leagues which we are exposed to, primarily the famous European ones. I admit that I don’t have much knowledge of most other Football Leagues in the world, but I’ve heard that some, like the Egyptian League, are high on quality and competition. But I, and most of my readers, aren’t exposed to them and possess little know – how about them.
Anyway, among the leagues that we do know about and follow, I feel the German Bundesliga is the best. This isn’t due to any single, but multiple reasons.
It is the most competitive of the European Leagues and its unpredictability adds a certain exciting flavour to it. Sample this, Wolfsburg, the champions last season, escaped relegation this year on the final day of the season. Kaiserslautern, under present Greece coach Otto Raehhagel, a newly promoted club in 1995 won the league the very same season. It was a first for any newly – promoted club to win the first division the very same year. Bayern Munich, undoubtedly Germany’s biggest club, struggled for European qualification this year.
Every year, there is a new champion. How exciting is that?
Due to Germany’s excellent performances in the Euros and in the World Cup, the spotlight has fallen upon young talents like Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira. These youngsters started their careers in German clubs and honed their skills in the Bundesliga. Now, they are Real Madrid regulars.
Even Nuri Sahin, the promising Turkish playmaker of this season’s champions Borussia Dortmund has been quickly snapped up by Real Madrid and is all set to be on the Madrid team sheet on the 1st day of La Liga 2011/2012.
The emergence of promising young talents further adds to the sheen of this league.
It has resurrected the careers of some stars and given them a new lease of life. Take, for instance, Arjen Robben. Forever injury plagued, his last 2 seasons with Bayern Munich have been nothing short of magical, constantly terrorizing opposing defences on the right wing.
It has also revived some flagging careers, like that of Diego, who realized his true potential playmaking for Werder Bremen and was a big money signing for Juventus.
The football played is high on quality and mostly focuses on the technical ability of the teams. That’s why most teams go in with one, or maybe even two flair players to connect the play and supply the forward line. Physicality isn’t stressed upon, so you won’t see many long throws or Route One football. Thus the emergence of technically adept superstars like Ozil, Ribery and Schweinsteigger.
The Bundesliga is also, crucially, controversy – free. There have been no reports of match – fixing, referees being bribed and the like. It is a clean league with the focus being on what it should be the football.
Players graduating from the Youth Academies are also given due importance and a platform to develop their game and temperament. They are then gradually fazed into the first team. There is hardly any crazy money thrown around for players as transfer fees and wages. Most clubs run on a meager budget and keep their finances tight. Financial Fair Play is stressed upon.
All in all, the Bundesliga wins hands down over the rest of the European leagues for it shows football exactly how it should be. Mind – blowing.
Tags: Bundesliga, Football, Football League, German Bundesliga, Germany
