I'm slowly starting to realize that we actually did it

re: Sahin...if Real makes an offer he's gone imo. Kloppo already said we have 5-8 young players that he thinks could all play on the national team in 3-5 years. I think we'll mostly move some of them up and not buy many/any players.

I read in the paper that we already earned 14 million more than last year due to national TV money pool (distributed each week on standing iirc) and the 2.75 million extra for winning the title.
Add CL money of at least 20 million and we're talking an extra 35 million. I'd be very surprised if we'd spend more than 10 total after the money we may get for players leaving.

Official statement was that about half the money will be reinvested into players, the other half into reducing debt (which I think is a very good split). The official #1 goal is to be debt free in 1-2 years.

Gündogan from Nürnberg is our #1 guy to replace Sahin, Hamburg is also interested in him. I'm slightly worried since he was born in Gelsenkirchen.
Edit: Actually sky tv reported the deal with him is done. So I guess he'll play for us next year. 5.5 million+1 million if we make the CL again next year.

Nice, now I don't have to keep watching Nürnberg matches separately. I think it's a good move for both Dortmund and Gündogan, though if he is being brought in specifically as Sahin's replacement then I would be a little worried. It's a lot of pressure to put on him given how hugely important the Sahin role is to Dortmund's game and while they share some characteristics they are also different kinds of players. Gündogan is more of a dribbler and short passer and doesn't have that incredible long passing range Sahin has, he also tends to play a slightly more advanced role. And of course Sahin just does everything at a better level. It will be interesting to see, especially if Sahin leaves, whether Klopp throws him straight into the midfield or whether they look to bring in another player as well.

It's possible we'll switch to a soft 4-3-3 (I doubt it but it's possible). We'll also have to see if any offers for Barrios will be made. Personally I'm quite confident Lewandowski can become a great striker but many people aren't.

I think he's very fast and throws his body into the action. His finishing needs to improve a lot but I think it will now that he has some BL experience.

Either way I'd like to see a (experienced) striker added (someone like Klose) and probably a wing would be good, too. Other than that we're mostly set. I'll set the over/under on Kehl games next season at 5

I completely agree with your assessment of Gündogan.

I doubt that we'll change our basic system if we have to replace Sahin with Gündogan. It's possible that Bender gets less freedom to move forward to make up for a more offensive positioning of Gündogan in contrast to Sahin.
Other than that I hope that we can keep Barrios and buy Reus for a good price if Gladbach goes down.

Shank last game vs Frankfurt to make sure they do lol.

Clown/Derwi have you heard of Siem de Jong? Rumour goes that Dortmund is interested, I'd say it's <5% true but maybe you know more?

First time that I encounter that rumour.

anyone have thoughts on osvaldo from espanyol? not a team i get to see play very often. we have been watching him recently. seems to be scoring at a decent rate this year.

what I find strange is that he said, after a match with regard to a "with sahin in CL - Banner" <<The fans know how I will decide>>

That is really strange... I think the club wants to sell him now for 20Mil. at least that's something.

Really big loss.

i have watched quite a few espanyol matches, solid striker but there are plenty of better options out there so mehhhh.
espanyol - ath bilbao starts in 25mins btw.

oh and this just in

Dortmund sent scouts to see Kolbeinn Sigthorsson play. Striker playing for AZ, good player... we're interested as well. Only one year left on his contract so he's cheap

He's a very good and important player for Espanyol. He was in excellent form around November/December back when Espanyol were doing very well. Then he injured his adductor and Espanyol struggled a lot, losing 6 out of 7 matches in late January-early March, having to rely on the likes of Sergio Garcia and Alvaro Vasquez. He was also very good last year when he joined Espanyol on loan.

That said I'm not sure he is much of an improvement over what Tottenham already have. His goal scoring record in the defensively stronger Serie A is nowhere near as impressive. He has also missed quite a few matches this season due to injury. I think Tottenham can reasonably expect to be able to find better options.

dunno why but i have a funny feeling that harry goes for berba

juve got one

http://youtu.be/NIOLuTGk2rw

@4:40 siem de jong

Ajax v Twente = Eredivisie Extravaganza Extreme??

08/05/2011 - Cup Final
15/05/2011 - Final Matchday (Ajax@home)


C'mon Twente!

gtfo

so cute to see eternal fail clubs combined

Gündogan transfer is official, he gets a contract for 4 years. Fee is 4m €, rising depending on our success.

Less than initially reported

Sahin supposed to announce if he stays or leaves this weekend (I'd guess after the Bremen game). Would be sweet if he'd pull a Schweinsteiger-like contract extension at the last home game but I feel he's gone 85+%

i need some help from the germans in here.

A friend of mine is going to be visting the mosel and nahe regions in the fall and also wanted to take his GF to a bundesliga match. I don't know what town they'll be staying in, but my guess is that they'll be focused on the mosel. What clubs are within a reasonable driving distance (lets figure an hour) or train ride for them to be able to see?

Kaiserslautern should be nearest I think.

Kaiserslautern, Mainz, Stuttgart, Hoffenheim. Frankfurt may also be an option. Roughly in that order.
Check Google Maps once you know the exact location

I made some very basic google maps research involving Trier and Koblenz, the cities that are roughly at the start/end of the Mosel in Germany and you can make the following in a little over an hour:

Trier -> Kaiserslautern
Koblenz -> Frankfurt am Main
Koblenz -> Mainz
Koblenz -> Köln
Koblenz -> Leverkusen

In just under 2 hours you can also get to Schalke and Dortmund from Koblenz and Hoffenheim from Trier.

A CZECH Cup match between Slavia and Olomouc had to be abandoned today due to rioting fans of Slavia.

The referee called off the first leg of the cup semifinal after the first half at 1-1.

The kickoff had to be postponed for 20 minutes after more than 1,000 Slavia fans invaded the pitch.

The angry fans were protesting against Slavia's management, who they blame for the team's debts.

Riot police had to use force to prevent the fans from entering the club's offices at the stadium.

Slavia, one of the republic's oldest and most famous clubs, owes players part of their salaries