17 February 2010
Bundesliga, Beer And Banter
By Claire Gibson
For many football fans worldwide, the FA Premier League is undisputedly the best in the world. However, could all this be about to change? Enter the Bundesliga!
Have you ever imagined watching a top-flight game with change from a £20 note? For English fans, you would have to step back in time at least a couple of decades. Yet, for supporters of the Bundesliga this is reality, not a dream. Add to that, you can drink beer whilst you are watching the match and it’s surely most football fans idea of heaven. It is little surprise then that the Bundesliga boasts the best attendance figures in the world.
Whilst many will argue that the Premier League and La Liga are far more prestigious, German domestic football is far from short on entertainment. Over the last 12 years, there have been 7 different title winners. Compare this to a meagre 3 in the Premier League and 4 in La Liga, where the formality of the frontrunners has undoubtedly been a downfall. All too often the champions of the Premier League have been confirmed weeks before the end of the season. However, in a scintillating 47-year history, the Bundesliga title race has been decided on the final day of an unbelievable 23 times. Perhaps having Europe’s most unpredictable league is the reason German fans are deemed more passionate than their English counterparts.
Whilst the likes of Newcastle and Sunderland fans are unwavering in support of their teams, other clubs such as Arsenal are renowned for having cardboard cut-out supporters with an atmosphere more reminiscent of a cinema than a football match. Part of this may be attributed to the presence of terracing in Germany: an all too distant memory for English top-flight clubs following the introduction all-seater stadiums. Yet, with adequate crowd control from the specifically designated stewards, there appears to be no issues of safety whatsoever.
In addition to the availability of alcohol and continued existence of terracing, another key difference between German and English domestic football is television coverage. If you support one of the perennial under-achievers in the Premier League as opposed to one of the so-called Big Four, chances are your team will rarely be featured live. In stark contrast, all matches in the Bundesliga played on a Saturday are accessible live on TV. Whilst Sky Sports primarily focus on the Premier League and La Liga, ESPN provide live coverage of the Bundesliga every week. Well worth a watch for any true football fan, and for the English: who knows? Maybe a few lessons to be learnt.
