2022 in review: A debutant in goal and the legends return

In our review of 2022, we take another look at the months of November and December. Borussia went into the winter break on the back of a home win, Jan Olschowsky made his Bundesliga debut and a whole host of legends returned to BORUSSIA-PARK.

ON THE PITCH

Borussia had three Bundesliga games to play before the two-and-a-half-month break for the World Cup began in mid-November. A 3-1 win over VfB Stuttgart was followed by a 2-1 defeat away to VfL Bochum. Jan Olschowsky made his Bundesliga debut for the club at Bochum and then made his first appearance at BORUSSIA-PARK just a few days later in a fantastic 4-2 win over BVB, the final league match of 2022. Borussia returned to training during the winter on 13th December, without the six players who had been at the World Cup. Jonas Hofmann and Germany failed to make it out of the group stage, while Yann Sommer and Nico Elvedi (Switzerland), Ko Itakura (Japan) and Joe Scally (USA) were all knocked out in the round of 16. Marcus Thuram and France made it all the way to the final, where they lost on penalties to Argentina. The year was rounded off perfectly by the “Legenden des Parks” (Legends of the Park) event, where former club legends returned to take on the current side.

STANDOUT MOMENT

32 former Foals from all around the world came together on 17th December to take on the current side at BORUSSIA-PARK. Raffael, Juan Arango, Vaclav Sverkos, Roel Brouwers and a number of other ex-Borussia players entertained the fans as they returned for this special game. The legends signed autographs and took pictures with fans on the ‘green carpet’ at the ground before the game. “It was a fantastic atmosphere. It’s always fun to be with these fans,” said Raffael. The 25,000 spectators at the ground saw 15 goals in total, as the current Borussia side ran out 12-3 winners. “When you widen your view, you become aware on a day like this just how big this club is, the emotions that it triggers and the enormous tradition that stands behind it,” said an impressed Farke after the game.

OFF THE PITCH

• The home game against BVB was a ‘diversity matchday’. The players wore special shirts with the logo of the club’s sponsor printed in rainbow colours.
• Ramy Bensebaini’s bicycle kick in the 3-1 win over Hoffenheim was voted as Borussia’s Goal of the Year for 2022.
• Borussia were the only professional football club and one of only around 1,500 businesses in Germany to receive certification from Creditreform for an excellent credit rating for the ninth time.
• Fan club visits were finally able to take place again this year after Coronavirus enforced breaks. The Borussia players, excluding those who were at the World Cup, visited selected fan clubs during mid-November.
• The new Corona test centre was opened at BORUSSIA-PARK in December.
• Borussia legends Christian Kulik and Allan Simonsen both celebrated their 70th birthday.
• As part of the special exhibition “Verantwortung in Fußballschuhen” (Responsibility in football boots), Borussia players Madita Giehl and Jessica Hackenberger, as well as Thomas Ludwig from the FPMG Supporters Club and Jennifer Frankeser, a fan representative, discussed the topic of sexism in football.

QUOTE

Jan Olschowsky: “I can’t quite believe everything that’s happened. I’ve been here my whole life and don’t know anything other than BORUSSIA-PARK, so it’s something truly special for me. I’m proud to have played the last two games. They have been very important for my self-belief and for future matches. I’m proud of myself, but have to keep on working hard.”