Incredible atmospheres and fan culture

Until 1. FC Köln and Hamburg were promoted at the end of last season, the 2. Bundesliga for several years boasted more former German champions than the top flight. Storied clubs steeped in tradition and backed by huge followings – not just across Germany but around the world – find themselves languishing below their standards of decades gone by. All this makes for some incredible atmospheres that must be seen to be believed. And when you factor in the cost of a matchday ticket and beer, not to mention the free transport to the game, then no country rivals Germany.

It’s impossible to predict

For much of last season, 10 clubs were firmly in the promotion race until the final weeks, with the eventual top nine clubs separated by just 10 points. Elversberg upset the apple cart by finishing third and making it to the relegation playoff, just one point behind HSV. The league is simply impossible to predict, anyone can beat anyone and remains fiercely tight throughout. With a host of sides missing out on Bundesliga promotion last season, and the additions of relegated VfL Bochum and Holstein Kiel, along with 3. Liga newcomers Dynamo Dresden and none other than DFB Pokal finalists Arminia Bielefeld, the upcoming campaign promises to be even more unpredictable than the last.

A league of sleeping giants and big names

FC Köln and HSV may have earned promotion back into the top flight – the latter after a seven-year absence – but there are still a number of sleeping giants in the 2. Bundesliga. 1. FC Nürnberg, a nine-time German champion, have found themselves languishing in the second division since 2019. 1. FC Kaiserslautern – who won the Bundesliga in 1998 – found themselves in the 3. Liga in 2022 but since returned and narrowly missed out on the promotion playoff. Schalke 04 and Hertha Berlin are two clubs steeped in history with exceptional fanbases, but find themselves stuck in the second division while Hannover will also be eager to return to the Bundesliga under Christian Titz. And when it comes to big names, there are few bigger than Miroslav Klose in German football, who coaches FC Nürnberg in what is his first professional coaching job.

GGFN | Harry Good 

Fabrizio Romano reports that Quarshie has completed his Southampton medical and that a €3.5m transfer fee has been agreed upon. Quarshie made just one Bundesliga appearance for his current parent club, accruing experience in the German second division on separate loan stints with Fortuna Düsseldorf and SpVgg Greuther Fürth over the past season.

Quarshie did manage to get regular playing time in Fürth, in the process pumping his estimate market value up from €800,000 to €1.2m in the past six months. Former Hoffenheim scouting director Johannes Spors has been working in the Southampton front office since February and evidently sees a great deal of potential in the 11-times-capped U21 international. 

Quarshie likely serves as a direct replacement for fellow German central defender Armel Bella-Kotchap, who has been heavily linked with a return to his native land since Southampton’s relegation. Hoffenheim themselves require assistance in central defense, but seek more experienced players to fill the corps ahead of next season.

GGFN | Peter Weis

In his position as a Fürth functionary (since the end of his playing career in 2004) has always been an ardent defender of 50+1, a strong advocate for more equitable media rights deals, and an important voice on issues threatening to over-commercialize the German game. 

On many occasions, Azzouzi warned of the perils of allowing investors into the Bundesliga; specifically citing the English system as a bad precedent. When it comes to the matter of German football’s stagnant promotion-relegation playoffs, however, Azzouzi recently made clear that he prefers the English model. 

The topic of whether the current playoff system -in place since it was reinstated at the end of the 2008/09 season – hasn’t produced a winner from the 2. Bundesliga since Union Berlin defeated VfB Stuttgart at the end of the 2018/19 campaign. 

Speaking on one of Germany’s highest volume podcasts (“Kicker meets DAZN“) Azzouzi endorsed a switch to the English model used in the EFL Championship and below: Promotion for the top-two second tier sides and playoffs for the final relegation spot. 

Azzouzi’s proposal nevertheless isn’t exactly like that used on the Isle. The bottom three Premiership sides are automatically relegated. In Azzouzi’s plan, the 16th-placed Bundesliga side would still compete in a semi-final round that featured the third, fourth, and fifth placed 2. Bundesliga clubs. 

Precisely as is the case in England, the two winners of the semi-final round would then meet in a grand Finale at one of Germany’s most famous venues. Azzouzi even went so far as to suggest a German equivalent of Wembley: Either Köln’s RheinEnergieStadion or HSV’s Volksparkstadion. 

Azzouzi’s idea, or similar variants, have been put before the DFL commission in recent years. The fact that Azzouzi used his celebrity to bring the topic back to the forefront may potentially help get things moving. Borussia Dortmund – with Germany’s largest stadium – could also benefit from hosting a Final.

One aspect of the German top division Azzouzi expressed support for concerned last year’s (pejoratively titled) “Schneckenrennen um Europa” (“snail’s race for Europe”). Germans laughed at the fact that the Bundesliga’s eighth-placed team earned a Conference League slot. 

Azzouzi took a different take. In his opinion, the fact that mid-table sides have something to strive for enhanced the latter stages of the league campaign. The manner in which things unfolded late last year should, per Azzouzi, be transferred to the second division.

“I think it makes sense,” the 54-year-old said on the pod. ”In the Bundesliga, the team in tenth place might still have a chance of making it to the international stage. In the second division, you don’t have that. That’s a shame.” 

GGFN | Peter Weis

Loosli and Quarshie are both central defenders. The 28-year-old Loosli brings with him the experience of ten Bundesliga appearances while the 20-year-old Quarshie has appeared just once for the TSG senior side. Quarshie nevertheless exhibited great potential in 22 appearances for country at the Germany U20 level and below. The Duisburg-native recently made 13 2. Bundesliga appearances in back-to-back loan stints with Fortuna Düsseldorf. 

Loosli joined Bochum from Grasshopper club Zürich in January 2023. He ended up making all ten of his top flight appearances under VfL trainer Thomas Letsch’s head-coaching regime last year. Neither Heiko Butscher, Peter Zeidler, nor Dieter Hecking saw fit to use him after a poor start against Leipzig on match-day 24 last year. The Swiss youth international remains under contact with Bochum until 2026.

Mause joined Kaiserslautern this summer from 3. Liga outfit FC Ingolstadt 04. Expectations were high for the 26-year-old, who led the German third division in scoring last year. Mause unfortunately failed to score a single goal for the Pfälzer Red Devils. Lautern thus procured both Borussia Mönchendladbach’s Grant-Leon Ranos and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Faride Alidou to replace him.

“As a central defender, he has a lot of quality in building up play and thus increases our flexibility,” SpVgg sporting director Stephan Fürstner said of Loosli. “In our conversations, he quickly made it clear that he is really keen to take responsibility here.“

“[Jannik] is a very robust striker who works extremely hard with and against the ball,” Fürstner added of Mause. “He proved last season that he knows how to score goals and we are now hoping for exactly the same goal-scoring threat from him.”

GGFN | Peter Weis

Here is the GGFN’s mid-season 2. Bundesliga review and grades. 

1.FC Köln

Current position: 1st 

Current top goalscorer: Tim Lemperle (8)

Grade: B

Even a few weeks ago, it wasn’t clear who would be sitting top at Christmas but after four consecutive wins, Köln lead what is already an incredibly contested 2. Bundesliga. It’s a fantastic achievement for the club considering they have been under a transfer ban and under new leadership this season in Gerhard Struber. Köln had a rough start to life in the second tier and didn’t really find any momentum until late October. Since then, they’re unbeaten in nine and also find themselves in the quarter-finals of the DFB Pokal. Expect Köln to be active in the January transfer window (finally) and add to their already solid squad. There have been rumours surrounding the future of top goalscorer Tim Lemperle, but if they can keep him until at least the summer, Köln may just find themselves back in the Bundesliga. Overall, reasons to be cheerful for Köln! 

Karlsruher SC

Current position: 2nd

Current top goalscorer: Budu Zivzivadze (12)

Grade: B+

Consistency has always been an issue for KSC, a poor Hinrunde would be rescued by a great Rückrunde but it would always leave them mid-table. This season is different, Karlsruhe were unbeaten until late October and despite a one win in six-game run, the nature of the 2.Bundesliga this season meant they lose touch with the top three. Two wins to end the year meant KSC find themselves in the promotion places heading into the Ruckrunde. The pressure surrounding the bigger clubs around them in the table may play into their favour when it comes to the later stages of the season. It also helps that Karslruhe’’s captain Marvin Wanitzek is one of the best players in the league so far with eight assists and six goals, while Georgia striker Budu Zivzivadze is the league’s top goalscorer. Unlikes other teams (see below), Karlsruhe have stuck by head coach Christian Eichner, while he has stuck by the club, despite his rising stock and the pair are now reaping the rewards. KSC’s main issue heading into the second half of the season will be sureing up their defence as they have the joint worst goal difference in the top 10. 

Hamburger SV

Current position: 3rd

Current top goalscorer: Davie Selke (10)

Grade: C+ 

Again for HSV, it’s been about the lack of consistency. It’s been their history for the past seven years and whether history will repeat itself, we will most likely be left waiting until the final day of the campaign. HSV have only lost three times this season but it’s the 7 draws that has been their downfall so far. HSV went four games without a win during late October and early November which led to Steffen Baumgart getting the sack. Merlin Polzin now leads the side on an interim basis and it’s been a mixed bag with draws against Ulm and Darmstadt and wins against Fürth and Karlsruher. HSV’s first game back in the new year is against league-leaders Köln. You feel the outcome of this game will really determine whether HSV are looking for the trophy or just any form of promotion. Of course there’ll be many twists and turns to come but it’s a massive opportunity they can’t afford to miss. In a league where consistency is half the battle, HSV have some work to do. They’re in striking distance but will they make the final hurdle in a few months time? 

Elversberg 

Current position: 4th

Current top goalscorer: Fisnik Asllani (10)

Grade: A

Elversberg are in their second season in the 2.Bundesliga and are within touching distance of the promotion places. A win on their final matchday of the year would have meant they ended the Hinrunde top of the table. The secret to Elversberg’s rise is their defence, they have the third least amount of goals conceded in the league and have also kept six clean sheets. They have built this side with consistency in the dugout with Horst Steffen in his seventh year in charge, leading the club from the Regionalliga to their current positioning, as well as smart recruiting with Fisnik Asllani, Muhmammed Damar (both Hoffenheim) and Elias Baum (Eintracht Frankfurt) all joining on loan and playing important roles. Elversberg have experience in winning league titles as they won the 3.Liga in 2022/23 so they know how to keep their cool, but the question is, in the chaos of the 2.Bundesliga, can they keep their cool and do the unthinkable and get promoted to the Bundesliga? The dream of Regionalliga to Bundesliga in four seasons is definitely on. 

Magdeburg

Current position: 5th 

Current top goalscorer: Martijn Kaars (7)

Grade: C+ 

A point within second place, it’s been a fantastic hinrunde for Magdeburg. Similar to others around them, FCM have struggled for consistency and dropped points against clubs at the other end of the table. Having said that, they’ve only lost three times this season and finished 2024 with a fabulous 5-2 win against table-rivals Fortuna Düsseldorf. The big alarm for Magdeburg is they have the worst home record in the league. From 8 home matches, they won none, drew six, and lost two. In contrast, they have the best away record winning seven, drew one, and lost one. It’s a statistic which is almost hard to get your head around. If just a couple of those home draws were converted into wins, Magdeburg would be flying high in first. Overall, Magdeburg have put themselves in a brilliant position for promotion; they just need to drastically improve their hom form. 

SC Paderborn

Current position: 6th

Current top goalscorer: Filip Bilbja (5)

Grade: B

Paderborn finished last season in 7th and have quite clearly kicked on from then. 6th place and  one of four teams just a point from 2nd, Paderborn are well in the mix for automatic promotion this season. The squad may not have many recognisable names when looking at other 2. Bundesliga clubs, however, they’ve recruited well and are playing good football. Paderborn have been solid at home and even more impressive away from home having only lost once on their travels. They haven’t had the best of records against those around them and that’ll be key as the season comes to a close. So far, an impressive campaign for Paderborn who are mixing it with the so-called big boys of the 2. Bundesliga. 

Hannover 96

Current position: 7th

Current top goalscorer: Nicolo Tresoldi (4)

Grade: C

Hannover are within two points of the promotion places, so all they would need is a good start to the year and they would be in the top three. Despite this, this was not good enough for Die Roten and they sacked Stefan Leitl replacing him with former head coach and player Andre Bretenreiter. Breitenreiter has experience winning promotion as he led Paderborn to their first-ever season in the Bundesliga as well as helping Hannover back into the Bundesliga in 2017. Hannover will have to hope this gamble pays off, as if it doesn’t it will be another long summer with star striker Nicolo Tresolid likely to depart.

Fortuna Düsseldorf

Current position: 8th 

Current top goalscorer: Isak Bergmann Johannesson (6)

Grade: C

Fortuna Düsseldorf are capable of sneaking into third position at the end of the season but like many around them it’s consistency that is harming their chances. Düsseldorf are a team that are capable of winning 5-0 and two weeks later losing 5-2, just as they did before the end of 2024. Düsseldorf went on a dreadful run at the tail-end of October and didn’t win another game until early December. Up until then, they were looking like one of the top candidates for automatic promotion. Going into the rückrunde, the squad will have to channel the form they showed earlier in the season. So far, it’s been a rollercoaster of a season and it’s showing no signs of slowing down for Düsseldorf. Buckle up! 

Kaiserslautern

Current position: 9th

Current top goalscorer: Ragnar Ache (9)  

Grade: C

You win some, you lose some; that’s been Kaiserlautern’s season so far. FCK are a team that can play out a boring goalless draw against Regensburg before playing out a thrilling 4-3 victory against Düsseldorf. Just on the outskirts of the chasing pack, it remains to be seen whether Kaiserslautern have the legs to keep up with the rest of them. They start 2025 with a run of three games they should be expected to win (on paper at least).  If they can get seven points for their opening nine, FCK’s season may just spark into life. Another team to keep your eye on, particularly in the early months of 2025. 

Darmstadt 

Current position: 10th

Current top goalscorer: Isac Lindberg (9)

Grade: C

Things could have been a lot worse for Darmstadt in their return to the 2.Bundesliga. In September the club were languishing around the relegation zone and looked like they were going to copy Arminia Bielefeld with a back-to-back relegation. However, they would sack Torsten Lieberknecht and replace him with Florian Kohfeldt. Since taking over ‘FloKo’ has only lost twice (a 2-1 loss to bottom Jahn Regensburg on the final matchday before the winter break and his second game in charge against Magdeburg), away from those losses Darmstadt have thrown the cat amongst the pigeons for teams chasing promotion with big wins against Köln and Kaiserslautern while also taking points off of Karlsruhe and Hamburg in draws. The highlight of Darmstadt’s season so far has been their 5-3 win against Schalke in Kohfeldt’s first game in charge when they were 3-0 down at half-time. Darmstadt are only four points off of promotion, so it is not out of the question but they will definitely be out to cause trouble once again for promotion chasers.  

1.FC Nürnberg

Current position: 11th

Current top goalscorer: Stefanos Tzimas (8)

Grade: C-

Average is the best way to describe Nürnberg at the moment. However, it is not all doom and gloom for Die Club as they only find themselves six points off of a promotion spot all while having the youngest squad in the league. Led by legendary German striker Miroslav Klose the likes of Finn Jeltsch, Berkay Yilmaz, Casper Jander, Jens Castrop and Stefanos Tzimas have all played important roles for Nürnberg this season. The young manager and young team combo will likely not work in the first season (as seen with Dino Toppmöller at Eintracht Frankfurt) but Nürnberg can continue to use this season to grow together as a team. The only downside is that they will lose their best player in the summer once again with Tzimas set to leave the team after they activate his €18m buy option and sell him for profit. With the money, Nürnberg can build a squad good enough for promotion.

Hertha Berlin

Current position: 12th

Current top goalscorer: Florian Niederlechner (5)

Grade: C- 

Roughly mid-table on 22 points and a goal difference of 0, it’s been a frustrating watch at times for Hertha fans so far this season. The club were hoping to push on this season and be in with the mix for promotion but it hasn’t quite materialised as of yet. Form has been a big issue with Hertha winning a few before going winless for a couple of matches. Having lost their last three matches before the end of the year, Hertha’s task of pushing for promotion is looking more distant. However, the squad are capable of doing just that and in a league which is so close, all it takes is a run of four fixtures and Hertha could be right up there again. Hertha could be one to watch for a late push in the second half of the season. Overall, it hasn’t been great so far but Hertha’s season is far from over. 

Schalke 04

Current position: 13th

Current top goalscorer: Moussa Sylla (11)

Grade: D

Drama is never far away from the Veltins Arena nowadays, but most of is is happening off the pitch. On it, Schalke looks closer to 3.Liga level than Bundesliga level and constantly rely on Moussa Sylla (11) and Kenan Karaman (10) for their goals. Manager Kees van Wonderen claims he is not Harry Potter when it comes to helping the club, but die Konigsblau need more than a magician to help them have any chance of returning to the Bundesliga. Their financial issues off the pitch put restrictions on who they can sign and hire, and the fact that there are rumours of selling Sylla in the winter to help ease these issues shows the state Schalke are currently in. They will need a miracle to even try and challenge for promotion this season and it wouldn’t be unlikely if they end the season with a different manager as they prepare for another year in the second division. 

Greuther Fürth

Current position: 14th

Current top goalscorer: Noel Futkeu (7)  

Grade: C-

Having finished 8th last season, this isn’t exactly where Greuther Fürth want to be going into the rückrunde. Currently on 20 points, Fürth will be nervously looking behind them rather than up unless they can pull consecutive wins together. The team went on a dreadful run in November before winning against Hertha and Hannover which has made their league position slightly better. Their home and away record is nearly identical and it’s clear that Fürth are capable of putting in a performance against some top teams. They don’t have the ability to push for promotion but should be good enough to avoid a relegation scrap. 

Preußen Münster

Current position: 15th

Current top goalscorer: Joshua Mees (4)

Grade: C+ 

Having won back-to-back promotions, Münster have catapulted themselves into one hell of a division against some of Germany’s most historic and traditional clubs. 15th heading into the new year is a fantastic achievement for the club. The aim for the season is to survive and that’s exactly what they’re doing so far. They’re three points ahead of automatic relegation and four points from 14th. Münster’s aim in the new year will be to close the gap on those above them whilst keeping their noses in front of the chasing pack behind them. Münster are a low scoring side (18) but at the same time don’t concede many (23). They’ve had some memorable victories against Hertha Berlin and Düsseldorf but will need to get more against the teams around them. Münster’s season hangs in the balance but they’re doing all they can to survive. 

SSV Ulm

Current position: 16th 

Current top goalscorer: Semir Telalović (5)

Grade: C-

Ulm are exactly where you’d expect them to be having just come up from the 3. Liga. They knew they’d be fighting for survival and the fact that they’re not bottom and two points from safety, they’ll be somewhat content with that so far. Ulm have become masters of the draw recently having shared the spoils in four of their last five league matches. It’s a good sign if they can see out games against the likes of Hertha and HSV but they’ll still need to turn some games from one point to all three if they want to survive. That’s the big task in the rückrunde for Ulm. 

Eintracht Braunschweig

Current position: 17th

Current top goalscorer: Rayan Philippe (9) 

Grade: D

It’s another season of battling for survival at Braunschweig having just avoided the drop in their last campaign. Going into the new year, the side have lost their last three and failed to score in their previous four; during this time they’ve also conceded nine goals. Simply put, Braunschweig can’t score goals and can’t keep them out. They have a poor record against the teams around them but occasionally pull the rabbit out the hat and somehow beat Hamburg, Hannover, and Greuther Fürth at home. Top goalscorer Rayan Phillippe is responsible for 56% of all Braunschweig’s goals this campaign. You fear that should he get injured, the club would find themselves in the third division next term. 

Jahn Regensburg

Current position: 18th 

Current top goalscorer: Kai Pröger (2) 

Grade: D- 

It’s been a miserable hinrunde for Regensburg who are now odds on to go straight back down into the third tier. Their season already looked dead and buried when they lost 8-3 away at Nürnberg back in late October. This prompted the manager to be sacked and for Andreas Patz to come in. Remarkably, Regensburg went on to win their next two in all competitions and finished 2024 with a win at home to Darmstadt. They’ve been through some tough moments this season but avoiding relegation is still possible. They’re three points from Ulm in 16th and play them in late January. Is the great escape on for Regensburg?

GGFN | Jamie Allen & Jack Meenan 

Sieb joined 2. Bundesliga side Greuther Fürth in July 2022 for just €50k and played 66 games across all competitions for the Kleeblätter, scoring 17 and creating four goals. Enjoying a breakout campaign last year, Sieb scored 12 and created three in 33 goals for Greuther Fürth in the second division, prompting Bayern to re-sign the German youth international.

“We’ve been closely following Armindo over his two years in Fürth. He’s progressed very well, especially the last season. He was among the best players in his age group for goal involvements in the second division in 2023/24,” said Christoph Freund, Bayern’s Sporting Director. “Armindo is an extremely quick and aggressive player. He’s a very good fit for Mainz with his style, and the Bundesliga is now the next logical step for him.”

GGFN | Daniel Pinder

The DFL had proposed plans to sell a stake in its media rights to an outside investor after negotiations were narrowly approved by a majority of club leadership among the top two divisions. 

Fans felt that the proposals threatened the integrity of German football and eventually forced the DFL to climb down after potential private investors started to back away.

From Berlin to Munich, fans disrupted games and vocalised their opposition to the plans. 

Across Germany, the opening 12 minutes of games were greeted by silence in the stands before erupting into unified chants and expletives against DFL, the Governing body.

Fans suspended and delayed games by throwing objects on to pitches, using remote-controlled cars and planes and, in one case, attaching chains and bicycle locks to goalposts.

Five weeks ago, a spokesperson for the DFL executive committee, Hans-Joachim Watzke, said: “In view of current developments, a successful continuation of the process no longer seems possible.”

The fans had won.

However, the protests are now proving costly for many of the fan-owned clubs in Germany.

The DFL has issued fines to numerous clubs.

FC Union Berlin have been issued with a €60,000 fine for delays and protests, including an hour stoppage at home to VFL Wolfsburg.

Bayern Munich received a €40,000 fine, whilst Freiburg, Borussia Dortmund and Paderborn received fines of approximately €30,000.

There are further fines for the likes of Werder Bremen, Greuther Fürth and Holstein Kiel.

Although some clubs are already pushing back.

VfL Osnabrück are appealing a €20k fine for three cases of ‘unsportsmanlike conduct’, arguing that the protests weren’t club-related, but about a “core question of German football itself.”

CEO, Michael Welling stated:

“If peaceful protest and freedom of expression aren’t allowed, then a basic principle is reduced to absurdity.”

“This does not correspond in any way to our understanding of democracy and the law, which is why we have decided to also appeal against the sports court’s ruling.”

This comes soon after FC Köln received a record-breaking fine for fan misconduct following their use of pyrotechnics in their derby against Borussia Monchengladbach in October.

Köln were fined €595,000 for delaying the match which they went on to win 3-1.

Osnabrück are not alone in their frustration and there is widespread “incomprehension” towards the fines with threats of counter-lawsuits from some clubs.

Welling explained:

“This case also clearly shows in many facets that the DFB’s legal and procedural system urgently needs to be revised. We will therefore also consider going to the regular courts if the DFB’s sports jurisdiction should be challenged here after weighing up all the arguments not come to a different verdict than before.”

It was unlikely that the DFL would disregard the protests but it seems that the saga will continue with no clear end in sight.

It will be costly for both sides.

GGFN | Oscar O’Mara 

Let’s get the obvious one out the way. Bayern Munich spent upwards of €100m on Harry Kane this summer, and it’s no surprise to see him at the club’s top of the player jersey list. The English captain has hit the ground running, scoring goals and is liked for his character off the pitch. 

However, league leaders Bayer Leverkusen don’t have their number one striker on top of their jersey list. Perhaps people didn’t think that Victor Boniface would have made the impact that he has. Instead, it’s former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka who is the fan’s favourite. 

Likewise, RB Leipzig, Union Berlin, and Werder Bremen all had new players at the top of their lists. The Leipzig faithful admire Xavi Simons, while Union prefer Leonardo Bonucci, and Bremen have Naby Keïta as their number one. 

Most Popular Player Jersey in the Bundesliga

No information for VfL Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt.

Most Popular Player Jersey in the 2. Bundesliga

No information for Hertha Berlin. 

Source: Bild

GGFN | Jamie Allen

Bright Arrey-Mbi (20) – Hannover 96

After impressing while on loan at Hannover last season, Bright Arrey-Mbi has permanently signed with Die Roten on a free transfer from Bayern Munich. The 20-year-old centre-half featured sparingly throughout what was a turbulent campaign for Stefan Leitl’s side. However, despite only featuring just 15 times in the 2. Bundesliga last term, Arrey-Mbi proved why he is so thought after. Completing just under 2 tackles a game, no other Hannover defender was as successful when having to make a challenge as the youngster. Going into the new season, Hannover are expected to kick on from their disappointing Rückrunde return, where they would even flirt with a potential relegation battle. Further experience in a Hannover side that are more understating of their identity next season will benefit the former Bayern Munich and Chelsea youth player, as he will look to establish himself as one of Germany’s best young centre-backs.

Wahid Faghir (19) – Elversberg

While newly-promoted Elversberg are not expected to blow the 2. Bundesliga away as they enter their first season in Germany’s second tier, Wahid Faghir certainly is someone to look out for. The Danish striker is currently on loan from Bundesliga side Stuttgart, where he has been unable to break into the first team despite registering his first goal for the club almost two years ago against Union Berlin. After spending last year on loan at FC Nordsjælland – where the 19-year-old contributed a goal every 91 minutes – Faghir is ready to return back to Germany. A loan in Germany’s second tier could be the ideal next step as he looks to prove why he is regarded as Denmark’s future number nine. Considered an old-fashioned striker, Faghir also has the technical ability to stand out from the crowd. Combining this with his incredible intelligence in and around the box, Elversberg could have found the perfect answer to their relegation fears.

Paul Nebel (20) – Karlsruher SC

Going into the second year of Paul Nebel’s two-year loan at Karlsruher from Mainz, the 20-year-old has already shown glimpses of what he can provide KSC for the upcoming campaign. Four league goals last term is nothing to write home about – albeit a decent return for such a young midfielder – however, it is Nebel’s creation that is so important to Christian Eichner’s side. Six league assists was only topped by Marvin Wanitzek in the Karlsruher side last campaign, as Nebel began to find his feet in Germany’s second tier. Nebel will be looking to improve on his average of 1 key pass per game, but 0.7 dibbles per 90 also represents the best return in the Karlsruher squad. The tricky and agile youngster should be a bright spark in KSC’s season and with the departure of Mikkel Kaufmann to Union Berlin, Nebel will certainly be the player called upon by Christian Eichner.

András Németh (20) – Hamburger SV 

After signing for Hamburg during the January transfer window, András Németh had begun to impress throughout his often fleeting appearances from the bench. Two goals in his opening three games for Der Dino caught the eyes of those watching the young Hungarian striker – a feet even more impressive as the strikes came from a total of just 29 in-game minutes. However, Németh sustained a fractured ankle towards the end of the season meaning that he would miss the final six games of Hamburg’s campaign. More unfortunately for HSV is that Németh will also miss the opening few fixtures of the new campaign. Nevertheless, the 20-year-old will soon return, and he could be a devastating addition to the Hamburg frontline. A similar build to Wahid Faghir, Németh is a traditional number nine, whose technical attributes allow him to shine out wide as well. In a season where the competition has increased for HSV, they will have to perform week in and week out. This means that it could be a breakthrough campaign for Németh.

Jonas Urbig (19) – Greuther Fürth

Jonas Urbig has had a rough start to life in professional football. After being sent out on loan to Jahn Regensburg for the second half of last season, Urbig played every minute that was available to him. However, he could not prevent Die Rothosen from relegation to Germany’s third tier. A collection of two clean sheets in 17 appearances for Jahn, while it doesn’t sound spectacular, is a testament to his ability. Only four sides conceded fewer goals than the relegated side and if it was not for the 19-year-old, they could have easily been in pole position. A great shot-stopper, but with still plenty to learn, Greuther Fürth could be the perfect side for Urbig to develop his game. A club that is recent years that has helped nurture talented young players such as David Raum and Jessic Ngankam, Urbig certainly could be the next player to have improved during his time with the Kleeblätter. 

GGFN | Will Shopland 

We all love kits and the second tier in Germany has some outstanding kits again this season so time for editor Daniel Pinder and Borussia Dortmund correspondent Ben McFadyean to take on the tricky task of rating the home kits of all the 18 teams in the league, all ratings out of 10.

Arminia Bielefeld

https://twitter.com/arminia/status/1537497008260452352

Dan: 5/10 – I mean, it’s OK? But last season’s was certainly better. 

Ben: 6/10 – Macron does some top kits and last season’s black, white and blue striped Arminia was a ‘keeper’ but this season, not feeling it. Come on Macron, get inspired by the spirit of the great fans of the ‘Alm’! 

Darmstadt 

Derselbe Teamgeist. Dieselbe Motivation. Dasselbe Feuer. Im neuen Gewand. #sv98
_______________________________
Heimtrikot 22/23: https://t.co/JWQZ24SCro pic.twitter.com/sYxypkiAvu

— SV Darmstadt 98 (@sv98) May 21, 2022

Dan: 3/10 – Admittedly not a fan of this. The badge is nice but other than that, it doesn’t do anything for me.

Ben: 4/10 – Craft is a new brand to me, not seen this before. The contrast in blues is kind of cool but overall not liking this in spite of the striped panel in the middle which is repeated on the away but not the goalkeeper shirt. Overall not my cuppa!   

Eintracht Braunschweig

https://twitter.com/EintrachtBSNews/status/1544648511681187840

Dan: 3/10 – Not a fan of kits with a design like this. Borussia Dortmund tried and it just didn’t look right. It’s too ‘in your face’ for my liking.

Ben: 5/10 – For the Eintracht Braunschweig Puma kit this season, too much like the BVB shirt of 20/21. Great to see the 1966 Meister back in the league though.

Fortuna Düsseldorf

https://twitter.com/f95/status/1542411360402898944

Dan: 7/10 – Now this is nice. The shade of red, the stripes. I can’t remember the last time Fortuna had a bad design.

Ben: 6/10 – I’m usually a big fan of Adidas kits and there is something of the Liverpool kits of the 1970’s in this season’s home kit but in spite of having the coolest coach in Daniel Thioune, the two time DFB Pokal winners home kit this season is not lighting my fire!

Greuther Fürth

https://twitter.com/kleeblattfuerth/status/1533410124517318661

Dan: 6/10 – An improvement on last season’s, but it still doesn’t pack a punch for me. At least it’s different from the other 2. Bundesliga clubs, though. 

Ben: 9/10 – A high rating by me for Puma’s home kit but then the Irish side of me says a shamrock and classic green and white stripes, what can you actually get wrong?

Hamburg

https://twitter.com/HSV_English/status/1547140859426136067

Dan: 7/10 – Maybe I’m just a sucker for Hamburg tops. I like the Black and blue on the home shirt. Big fan of this one and better than last season’s home kit.

Ben: 4/10 – In spite of being the title favourites, the home kit makes them look like relegation play off contenders. HSV have had some beauties over the decades like the red European Cup winners shirt of 1983, but what went wrong here?

Hannover 96

https://twitter.com/Hannover96/status/1539568708946984960

Dan: 8/10 – This has everything a home kit needs for me. It’s smart, the shade of red is nice and the crest goes with it. This is certainly up there and Hannover rarely get a home kit wrong.

Ben: 6/10 – Hannover 96 surely have the best crest in the second tier in Germany? I like the chequered detail, this Macron’s red jersey is a classic for sure. 

Hansa Rostock

https://twitter.com/HansaRostock/status/1545446750575534081

Dan: 5/10 – This would have been better if it was just blue but with white around the neck and sleeves.

Ben: 5/10 – Nike have done some class kits over the years including BVB’s Champions League winning kit, who could forget? The ‘Hanseaten’ may have a ‘heavy metal’ image but only Dua Lipa could really rock this one!    

Heidenheim

https://twitter.com/FCH1846/status/1545456604543426565

Dan: 9/10 – OK, I agree with Ben on this one. This is certainly up there for me. Both the red and blue are excellent shades. Reminds me a little of Bayern’s 2014/15 kit.

Ben: 10/10 – Full marks for Puma’s Heidenheim kit, not just because BVB II’s Lennard Maloney is playing with the club this season, this kit has all of ‘Barca’ and more, this one is on my to buy list!! 

Holstein Kiel

https://twitter.com/Holstein_Kiel/status/1545063978128199680

Dan: 7/10 – Holstein Kiel have rarely had a bad kit and although similar to Hamburg’s in style on the upper chest, this is very nice. Such a unique club that’s deserving of Bundesliga football.

Ben: 6/10 – I didn’t get the controversy earlier in the summer about the Holstein home kit, I would love to see ‘The Storks’ promoted and it would be the first team ever from the county of Schleswig-Holstein to achieve but the shirt leaves me mid-table inspired which is alas probably where the Kieler will finish this season.

Jahn Regensburg

https://twitter.com/SSVJAHN/status/1545361621433851904

Dan: 7/10 – It’s crisp, and that’s what I look for in a kit.

Ben: 7/10 – Saller again is a new brand to me. The kit is crisp, clean and it get’s the message across, cannot argue with that just hope the Regensburger can do the same on the pitch.

Kaiserslautern

https://twitter.com/Rote_Teufel/status/1547846360480616448

Dan: 5/10 – An improvement on last season but like Ben, I thought their burgundy kit was excellent.

Ben: 6/10 – Four-time champions Kaiserslautern are back in the second tier after 5 years of asking but the kit is no celebration wearable, anyone remember the burgundy 2003/4 kit?

Karlsruher SC

https://twitter.com/KarlsruherSC/status/1547571357436694542

Dan: 6/10 – I don’t like many Macron kits, but this is up there! Clean home kit.

Ben: 7/10 – I love the historical club crests in the design, nice work Macron!

Magdeburg

https://twitter.com/1_FCM/status/1547546987771428870

Dan: 5/10 – I’m not Uhlsport’s biggest fan, I think this would have worked better if they reworked the shoulders. Not a fan of the white there.

Ben: 5/10 – Always been an Uhlsport fan when they did goalkeeper strips but this kit and the FCM have some of the most loyal fans in the league but the white pin stripes? Pyjama party anyone?

Nürnberg

https://twitter.com/1_fc_nuernberg/status/1540956198534520832

Dan: 8/10 – I think it’s the shade of red that does this for me. And the black. Reminds me of an 80s kit. Big fan of this one.

Ben: 6/10 – Adidas are the kings of cool when it comes to German outfitters in my book but the 9 time Meisterschaften of the ‘Der Club’ seem to have left the Herzongenaurauch designers a bit lost for words again this season good effort, try harder next time.   

Paderborn

https://twitter.com/SCPaderborn07/status/1544341382218883072

Dan: 7/10 – A massive improvement from their last two home kits.

Ben: 7/10 – Another Saller shirt, classic design. Top half finish for Paderborner in that kit.

Sandhausen

https://twitter.com/SV_Sandhausen/status/1544691572180148228

Dan: 6/10 – This is smart. Nothing over the top, doesn’t hurt the eyes and is clean. How a kit should be.

Ben: 7/10 – Macron have done it again for the minnows of the league Sandhausen look the part but will it be enough to keep the Heidelberg club in the league?

St. Pauli

Der FC St. Pauli hat einen neuen Stürmer verpflichtet: Johannes "Jojo" #Eggestein wechselt vom belgischen Erstligisten @official_rafc nach Hamburg.

Alle Infos & Stimmen https://t.co/LsbVBdEmQs#fcsp pic.twitter.com/EZrWlNtgrf

— FC St. Pauli (@fcstpauli) June 21, 2022

Dan: 6/10 – Credit to St. Pauli for their approach to this home kit, but it just doesn’t do it for me.

Ben: 8/10 – ‘DIY’ is St Pauli’s own home grown effort, BVB did the same with Goool in the 2000s but St. Pauli are doing their own kit this season with a reported focus on sustainability. The club’s brown with the trim looking good, let’s see if the editor can get some of these to ‘test at home’?  

Dan’s favourite is Heidenheim with a score of 9/10, which is also echoed by Ben, who goes one better with the unbeatable score of 10/10. And they’re the overall winners with a score of 19/20.

Which is your favourite 2. Bundesliga kit this season?

Here is the match day one fixtures in full:

Excited about Bundesliga 2 season yet? You should be, German football is back and we are off to order some of the kits. We will take a look at the best away kits next week.