This is the fourth episode of the second season of the series “Who We Are”, produced by Borussia Dortmund. In partnership with the OneFootballa Sports Gazette you will have access to all episodes, which will show the daily life of one of the biggest clubs in German football.
The fourth episode deals with the connection between the club and the city of Dortmund, which has three bases: steel mills with steel products, coal mining and brewing.
Founded in 1909, Borussia often has mosaics of fans, which refer to the origins of both the club and the city.
“The exhibitions of the organized crowd usually have historical references. Borussia is a club that has not forgotten its roots. It always reminds us that we know where we came from and that must continue”, explains the team’s former media director Josef Schneck.
“We all know someone or a few people who worked in the intense heat of the steel industry. The industry was a reality for everyone, and no one said they didn’t want it. But for me, working in the mining industry was even more impressive. This was work that not only challenged the person, but also molded them,” he adds.
Borussia’s Belgian full-back Thomas Meunier says the move from Paris to Dortmund was quick: “We have three children. They speak German now, they have adapted to the situation. For us, it’s like discovering a new life.”
After visiting an old steel mill, an abandoned coal mine and a brewery, the defender spoke about his arrival at the club, which was impacted by the covid-19 pandemic.
“Football culture is probably the biggest reason I signed with Dortmund. I feel like I missed a year of my footballing life. [O primeiro ano] it was crap, difficult for everyone. It was like a transition period for me, and it lasted a long time. I had a hard time expressing myself like I did in the past,” she reveals.
Finally, Schneck did not fail to emphasize the importance of beer to the city. According to him, it is a fundamental element to understand it.
“Dortmund was the city of beer par excellence. Dortmund beer was an export item. Regardless of which country he was in, everyone knew Dortmund’s beer. There may be no more coal or steel, but we still brew beer. This element is still anchored in Dortmund”, he concludes.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
Ricardo is a renowned author and journalist, known for his exceptional writing on top-news stories. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he is known for his ability to deliver breaking news and insightful analysis on the most pressing issues of the day.
