The return of the season opening event was a real success for Borussia. Together with yesterday’s friendly against Real Sociedad, around 55,000 fans were at BORUSSIA-Park.
The Borussia fans’ excitement for a fan day was clear for all to see after a two-year absence due to Corona. It was a great sunny day out for all the fans, whether they were taking part in the activities, watching performances on the stages, listening to interviews, collecting autographs from the players and coaches or chilling out in the Bitburger beer garden or the FohlenSportsbar.
The family festival gave fans the chance to see their favourite players up close after a long absence. Following the one-hour training session in BORUSSIA-PARK, there were long queues for autographs. The Borussia players will very likely have had tired hands after working hard to give as many fans an autograph as possible!
“Unique in Germany”
The squad was split up into smaller groups as they went up on the Flatex main stage to greet the fans. “The family festival is always something special. We’re really happy that we have been able to celebrate with the fans finally again,” said captain Lars Stindl. Florian Neuhaus is excited ahead of the new season: “We’ve got a fresh start. The fans are back and the excitement is there. Let’s have a good season together.”
Yann Sommer was presented with the 2021/22 Player of the Season award on stage. “I would like to thank everyone. It’s an honour to receive this award,” commented Borussia’s number 1. Head coach Daniel Farke was impressed by the big crowd. “To receive a reception like this and to see the scale of this fan festival just backs up my decision to come here. This togetherness and closeness with the fans is totally unique in Germany.”
Chief executive Stephan Schippers, sporting director Roland Virkus, president Rolf Königs and vice-president Dr. Stefan Stegemann were also given a round of applause by the fans as they greeted them from the flatex stage. “It’s fantastic that we can finally hold a family festival for our fans again,” said Königs. “We want to do better this season, that’s for sure. We want to be successful again on the pitch and continue to develop the club’s financial position and the structures within it,” added the president.
Plenty of activities for fans to enjoy
There was an extensive programme for fans to enjoy aside from interviews with the players and staff members. On the flatex main stage, “just:is”, magician Mario Barone and the “Fauth Dance Company” all appeared, whilst “Rick‘s Juniortime”, magician Bastian, “Fux”, “Frank & seine Freunde” and “Lila Lindwurm” all performed on the child’s stage.
Fans could also enjoy other activities, including stadium tours and a trip to the FohlenWelt museum. Outside the ground, there were several stations for supporters to get involved in, ranging from football golf and darts to an e-bike course. A number of young fans took on Borussia’s e-sports players at the AOK stand.
The family festival marks the start of the new season, which officially kicks off for the Foals in an exactly a week away to SV Oberachern in the first round of the DFB-Pokal (15:30 CEST). Matchday 1 of the Bundesliga sees Borussia play TSG Hoffenheim at home on Saturday, 6th August (15:30 CEST).
