Germany's 2 Bundesliga celebrates 50th anniversary
The 2024-25 season of 2. Bundesliga kicks off this weekend and will be monumental as Germany’s highly unpredictable second division marks its 50th anniversary. Known for its fierce competition and incredible fan attendance, this season promises to elevate the excitement to new heights.
Bundesliga 2 has a storied history, having served as a launching pad for clubs and players to ascend to the highest echelons. Established to bridge the gap between professional and amateur soccer, the league was created on June 30, 1973, in Frankfurt; leading to its inaugural season in 1974-75. The league began with 20 teams split into North and South divisions. The criteria for inclusion were based on sporting success, technical capabilities, and economic stability. Naturally, this sparked some controversy and legal disputes.
One notable moment from the early days includes Alsenborn, who, despite sporting qualifications, were denied entry due to economic and technical shortcomings; resulting in Saarbrucken taking their place. In fact, it was Saarbrucken’s Nikolaus Semlitsch who scored the first goal in Bundesliga 2 history. This happened exactly 50 years ago, on August 2, 1974, setting the stage for many memorable moments to come.
Legendary players and coaches
2. Bundesliga has been a proving ground for many football legends. Felix Magath, who started with Saarbrucken, went on to achieve great success with Hamburger SV and the German national team. Horst Hrubesch and Rudi Voller are other notable names who honed their skills in Bundesliga 2 before rising to international acclaim.
Hrubesch, with 41 goals in the 1977-78 season, also shares the record for most goals in a single season of German professional soccer with Robert Lewandowski. Voller, who played for Kickers Offenbach and 1860 Munich, eventually became a World Cup champion in 1990. Coaches like Otto Rehhagel also have deep ties to 2. Bundesliga. Rehhagel led Werder Bremen back to the Bundesliga and shaped them into a top team. He later guided Kaiserslautern to an unprecedented Bundesliga title as a newly promoted team.
This historic season kicks off with a bang, as two former Bundesliga champions, Koln and Hamburger face off on Friday. Both teams are eager to reclaim their spots in the top division. Other notable fixtures include Hertha and Schalke, both of whom seek a return to their former glory. There is also Darmstadt, who narrowly missed promotion last season, facing off against Fortuna Dusseldorf.
League full of unpredictability and passion
Firstly, 2. Bundesliga is renowned for its unpredictability. With clubs vying for promotion and battling relegation, every match is packed with intensity and drama. The league’s attendance figures rank among the top five in Europe, highlighting the passionate fan base that fills the stadiums week after week.
The league’s structure has evolved over the years, but one constant has been the increasing interest from spectators and the media. The 2016-17 season saw Bundesliga 2 break the six million stadium attendance mark for the first time, averaging over 20,000 fans per game. This trend has continued since, making it one of the highest-attended leagues globally.
2. Bundesliga has not only been a crucible for players but also for coaches. The likes of Jurgen Klopp, Ilkay Gundogan, and Marco Reus all started their careers in the second division. The league’s 50th season will not only celebrate its rich history but also look forward to creating new legends and unforgettable moments.
PHOTOS: IMAGO