Football: Dortmund 2 Schalke 0

Borussia Dortmund won the derby against rivals Schalke 04 and by doing so spoiled the chances for Schalke winning a championship after 49 years. Oh happy day.

Borussia Dortmund (BVB) and Schalke 04 (S04) share one of the fiercest rivalries in German football. Schalke have won the championship 7 times (1934, 1935, 1937, 1939, 1940, 1942, 1958), Dortmund are 6 times champions (1956, 1957, 1963, 1995, 1996, 2002). Both have won the German cup
numoerous times (BVB 1965, 1989 - S04 1937, 1972, 2001, 2002). Both won European cup titles (BVB Cup Winners Cup 1966, Champions League 1997, World Club champions 1997 - S04 Uefa Cup 1997). Schalke have won the 3rd most league titles, Dortmund follow in 4th place. You could say both teams are two of the best teams Germany has to offer.
Since there is only a short distance between their two cities their matches have always been tense games. When one teams wins the supporters of the other team won't have any fun for the next few weeks. We all know that from personal experience, don't we. Whether it is Glasgow, Milano, London, Manchester, Liverpool, Madrid or Barcelona. Those are the special matches your team has to win by any means! Otherwise you wouldn't be able to face your friends who are rooting for the opposing side.

Now, as you can see from the statistics both teams have been successful in the past but this derby was somewhat special. It was a horrible season for Dortmund. Not only were they close to relegation only a few weeks ago (in fact they only saved themselves last weekend), but they had to watch Schalke climb to first place with a real chance of becoming the new champions. And to top it off there was even a chance for Schalke of a) winning the trophy in Dortmund and b) by doing so sending Dortmund to the 2nd division. Of course the threat of relegation was turned away, but the possibility of Schalke clinching the title was still present when both teams entered the pitch for the 129th match of those two. As well as the chance for Dortmund to spoil the Schalke party.

Dortmund came in with a three game winning streak while Schalke were struggling to remain on top.
But we all know those things don't matter in such games. Dortmund hadn't won at home since 1998, so it all looked set for another Schalke victory. But it turned out that we all were wrong. Dortmund went up 1-0 (Alex Frei, 44')before half time and scored the winning goal in the Closing minutes (Ebi Smolarek, 85'). I was watching the game at home while listening to the radio broadcast and when the 2nd goal was announced I was ready to go berzerk. How long did I wait for a day like this. All the suffering I had to endure over this past season was gone, there was only joy. The sweet taste of happiness.

Still, while I write this I have to thiunk of one friend who is a Schalke supporter. He had to go through the horrible experience of losing the title once again. It wasn't as horrific as in 2001 when Schalke lost to Bayern München. They had been champions for four minutes, already celebrating when the news of Bayern's equalizing goal came in. My friend was in such a shock that he didn't speak for five days.

Keeping this in mind and always reminding myself that it is just a game I consider myself to be the happiest man on earth - just at this very moment. Bare with me when I have to smile......................

By the way, keep in mind that the last round of the German championship will take place next week so Schalke still have chances to win although this seems more than unlikely.