Dear readers,

The Bundesliga thrives on a proven mix of young talented German players and spectacular foreign stars. This in turn has been possible by a high level of tolerance and respect for all, and the Bundesliga has made it a priority to uphold respect and tolerance.

On November 10th and 11th of last year, all first and second division stadiums once again put on a "Show Racism the Red Card" campaign. Players, coaches and fans all held up a red card to show the world that racism has no place in football.

Internationally, the DFL secured an important strategic partnership with Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States. For the first time, two international leagues agreed to contractually cooperate. It foresees regular meeting and sharing of "know how” in various areas, including TV production, rights and licensing, marketing, organization, stadium construction and the training of youth players. With the cooperation, the Bundesliga has secured entry to a market of some 50 million football fans.

Germany's excellent worldwide reputation in football was enormously aided by the performance of the German national team. Coach Joachim Löw's squad speedily qualified for the EURO 2008 in Austria and Switzerland, and the team is one of the favourites to win the tournament. The German national team's success is a direct result of excellent youth training at the Bundesliga clubs.

The Bundesliga has always been extremely attractive for sponsors, but now the league has developed into an organization that is creating a lot of jobs. Be it as a cook in a VIP lounge, a groundkeeper or as a TV technician, the Bundesliga has created employment for thousands of people. In all, over 34,000 people are directly employed in professional football in Germany. For the cities which have Bundesliga clubs, football has developed into an important image tool, which in turn attracts tourists and investment.

Bundesliga games have become welcome days out for entire families. According to research, football fans spend some 275 million Euros on match days, which is an important factor for the cities with Bundesliga clubs, ensuring income and jobs at a local level.

The Bundesliga is an exciting brand, both in a sporting and economical sense. It was that in 2007, and that must be our objective for 2008.

Yours,

Dr. Reinhard Rauball
League President

Enthusiasm for football in China can best be compared to a "sleeping dragon": it's huge, and the potential is equally as enormous.

All the beautiful game needs in China a little help to get the ball really rolling. The Bundesliga is playing its part in making that happen.

Two professional football players are preparing to switch from the Chinese league to Germany's top flight. Chinese player Xie Hui has already played in Germany, scoring 20 goals in 58 appearances for Allemannia Aachen and Greuther Fürth. Hui comes from Shanghai Shenua and he's said that he "definitely wants to try football in a foreign country again."

Brank Jelic of Xiamen Lanshi is the second player who is committed to playing in Germany. The Serbian was the China Super League's top scorer and "Player of the Year". Two players with one aim: to play in the Bundesliga. It also gives us the opportunity to check out football "made in China"!

Football gaining in popularity

The British introduced football to China, and the coastal cities of Hong Kong and Shanghai were the first real strongholds of the game. A national league has developed since the 1950's. Nowadays, an estimated 400 million Chinese citizens are football fans; most are situated in the east of the country.

However, football is not China's number one sport. Basketball has that honour, thanks in large to the antics of superstar Yoa Ming in the NBA. Millions of his compatriots follow his games live on TV, and Ming is a bona fide idol. The Chinese basketball league has profited from Mings success.


Yao Ming Effect?

Chinese football needs a "Yao Ming Effect" to finally hit the big time, and the players who could make the breakthrough are already there. Lie Tie joined English side Everton in 2003, and made 29 appearances in his first season. In turn, the "Toffees" became one of the best-known teams in China. Everton's Chinese language website had up to 500,000 visits daily and domestic journalists were saying that Tie was "more well-known than Beckham":

A similar hype surrounded Chen Yang when he played for FC St. Pauli and Eintracht Frankfurt and more recently, Jiay Shao at Energie Cottbus.

The potential is there, but Chinese football has problems away from the game itself. The league is still recovering from a corruption scandal and in teh past, it has been a victim of political interests. The opportunity to get things back on track came in 2006, when the Chinese national team failed to qualify for the World Cup.

Is Xie Hui the next superstar?

Since then, the national league has developed under more professional standards. The China Super League was founded and a commission to battle corruption was also brought into action. Chinese clubs have also made experts sit up and take notice in recent international tournaments. Shanghai Shenua won the A3 Champions Cup, a competition between the Chinese, South Korean and Japanese FA's. The last match was one by Shanghai, who beat Japanese top outfit Urawa Red Diamonds.

The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has initiated long-term development programmes, such as football academiesand training camps, with the aim of improving the standard of the domestic game. Xie Hui is seen as the player who could herald a new era in Chinese football, in a similar way to Yao Ming in basketball.

According to sports journalists in Shanghai, his new club, 2. Bundesliga outfit SV Wehen-Wiesbaden, could becoem enormously popular in China. All Xie has to do to make that happen is secure a first team place and score a few goals.

Daniel Dillmann

Hamburger SV, VfB Stuttgart and Hansa Rostock have chosen to travel afar in order to get themselves shipshape during the winter break. Dubai on the Persian Gulf is the destination for all three teams. Reigning German champions Stuttgart will compete in the Dubai Cup as part of their training camp schedule. Hamburger SV have agreed to play in the Dubai Football Challenge, together with Brazilian club Vasco da Gama and the national teams of the United Arab Emirates and China.

Spain and Portugal are also proving popular with Bundesliga clubs seeking the ideal locations for their winter breaks. No fewer than eight clubs, including Bayern München, have booked accommodation on the Iberian peninsula.

In addition to record breaking champions Munich, Borussia Dortmund will travel to Marbella and play a friendly match against FC Malaga. MSV Duisburg, Arminia Bielefeld and VfL Bochum will also recharge their batteries in the Spanish sun, while 1. FC Nürnberg, Eintracht Frankfurt and VfL Wolfsburg travel to Portugal. Hannover 96 and Hertha BSC Berlin have opted for the holiday island of Tenerife.

With a reputation for spending winter breaks at home in Gelsenkirchen, former champions Schalke 04 have chosen Belek on the Turkish Riviera this year, as have Werder Bremen, Bayer Leverkusen and Karlsruher SC. Energie Cottbus will stay at Antalya.

"We wanted to do something different after remaining at home for the last few years. In addition, a practice camp always provides the ideal opportunity to integrate new players”, said Schalke's sporting director Andreas Müller.

The New Year restart could not be more inviting. While Champions League round of 16 participants FC Schalke 04 will meet national champions VfB Stuttgart in the rush for the title on the 18th matchday, the two best teams of the first half, Bayern München and Werder Bremen, will play each other at Allianz Arena in Munich in the 19th round.

While everyday Bundesliga life has returned to normal at Bayern München after the early season euphoria surrounding new star players Franck Ribery, Luca Toni and Miroslav Klose, Bremen have overcome a poor start with spirited attacking football. After a 4-0 setback in their first encounter, the north Germans are hot for revenge, but the team coached by Thomas Schaaf knows how tough it will be against Bayern. The winners will nevertheless gain a tremendous psychological advantage, which some see as more important than mere points.

It was not until the final whistle had been blown in the 17th and last round matches of the season's first half, that it was clear Bayern München held top spot. The club with the most number of championship wins were equal on points, however, with pursuers Werder Bremen, left in second on goal difference. Though the Bavarians had won the first meeting between the two impressively 4-0 in Bremen in the second round, the north Germans survived a long list of injuries to find new steam towards the end of the season s first half. The league's best attacking force beamed a warning towards Munich when thrashing their direct competitors Bayer Leverkusen 5-2 in the 17th round.

The young team from Leverkusen established themselves in the top group by finishing the first phase in fourth place behind Hamburger SV. FC Schalke 04 successfully mastered the balancing act between Champions League and Championship by reaching the round of 16 in the international event and fifth position in the championship race, so giving themselves an ideal opportunity to fight again for Champions League qualification after the winter break. While strong newcomers Karlsruher SC emerged as the surprise package during the first stages, finishing in sixth position, champions VfB Stuttgart suffered setbacks. Injuries and the twofold pressure with the Champions League cost the Swabians vital points in the fight to successfully defend their title.

Last year's DFB Cup winners 1. FC Nürnberg are struggling in the relegation zone. One compensation will see the Franconians defending the German colours in the UEFA Cup, along with Bayern München, Werder Bremen, Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburger SV. The German clubs have proved stronger at this international level than in previous years, particularly Bayern and Bremen who are considered as potential finalists.

Scoring goals can be like riding a bicycle - it is difficult to forget how to do it. Consequently it was not hailed as a great triumph when Ivan Klasnic pushed the ball over the line from close in to ensure an intermediate 1-1 for Werder Bremen against Bayer Leverkusen in the last match of the first half of the season.

But the fans in the stadium and in front of their TV sets could recognise from the ensuing reaction of the Croatian striker that they had witnessed something extraordinary. Several seconds passed until Klasnic realised what had happened - for him a small miracle. Nine months after his kidney transplant the striker was doing his job again. It was the icing on the cake during a perfect day, that saw Bremen emerge 5-2 winners, and Klasnic score a second goal.

"I had promised my family these goals, and I have achieved them. With the first goal I needed five seconds to grasp what had happened, I had to rethink everything. With the second it was sheer unrestrained joy”, the 27-year-old said after the match.

It was a long way back into the limelight for the "Hamburg guy with Croatian blood”. Klasnic was missing from the Bundesliga stage for more than a year. Appendix surgery was followed by the diagnosis that the Croatian international needed a donor's organ to live. Football became irrelevant, health was paramount. After a first attempt with his mother's kidney failed, the second with his father's organ was successful. Since then Klasnic has had to take medication every day, and watch his lifestyle closely.

The illness has changed Klasnic. He was called "Killer” because of his instinct for goals. He used to speak out loudly, and enjoy making headlines. Though he still isn't quiet, he has become much more pensive and matured: "My comeback was a highlight, my goals the icing. But every day is beautiful when you can get up in the morning, are healthy and can do what you like.”

As an athlete Klasnic has also changed. He was never a keen trainer; too lazy to run was a common comment. But during rehab he had to fight up to his limits, and beyond. He has accomplished much, with extreme will and ambition. And not just for himself: "I want to be an example for people in a similarly difficult situation". He has certainly achieved that aim. And not only because he is an expert at shooting a round ball into an square goal.

He was a star goalkeeper, who always had a smile on his face: Josef Dieter Maier, nicknamed "Sepp", was one of the world's best ever goalies. "You have to have fun, and logically it's part of the game. It makes playing a lot easier, and living gets easier too. You'll get nowhere without fun", Maier reveals.

In the 1960's, football became a TV sport, and FC Bayern were promoted to the Bundesliga. In 1965, Sepp Maier made his professional debut as a friendly 19 year old rookie. With the likes of Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller in the team, Bayern won their first Bundesliga title in1969. Sepp Maier was already a cult goalkeeper, and the Bayern stars quickly became icons.

Between 1966 and 1979 Sepp Maier made 442 Bundesliga appearances. "That means I played non-stop for 13 years without ever taking a break. I believe that it's even in the Guiness book of records! It hasn't been beaten anywhere in the world." In 1974, Sepp Maier and FC Bayern were the kings of Europe and boasted a full trophy cabinet. Bayern won the Bundesliga and the European Cup. But their stars wanted much more. That Summer, they pulled out all the stops to win the 1974 World Cup.

"There were six Bayern players in the World Cup final. Thinking about it, it was 1974,and it won't be emulated for a long time. We won the triple of the Bundesliga, the European Cup and the World Cup! We won them all in one year. I don't think that will ever happen again." Sepp Maier was more than a world champion and a superstar: he was an icon. Maier released pop records and even acted. But he also experienced the darker side of life. He was seriously injured in a horrific car crash, and team mate Uli Hoeneß saved his life by transferring him to a specialist hospital.

"If I had stayed for another two or three hours in another hospital, I would have died of internal bleeding. Uli saved my life back then. Otherwise, I wouldn't be sitting here now." Maier's doctors advised him to end his playing career, but he stayed loyal to the game, becoming goalkeeping coach for Bayern and the German national team. He is Oliver Kahn's mentor.

In 2008, Maier will celebrate his 50th year working for FC Bayern. The legendary goalie is not about to turn his back on the game he loves.

Hertha BSC Berlin have finally managed to secure the services of striker Raffael from Swiss top flight club FC Zurich. The 22 year-old striker will put pen to paper for a contract good until June 30, 2012. He will wear shirt number 10.

"We are delighted to have secured Raffael's services. He will breathe life into our attacking play. He is a player with very good prospects", sporting director Dieter Hoeneß said.

1. FC Nürnberg have signed Jan Koller. The 34-year-old Czech will move from AS Monaco to Franconia for the start of the second half of the Bundesliga season. The Czech international will sign a contract with the 2007 DFB Cup champions until June 30, 2010.

Koller played with Borussia Dortmund from 2001 until 2006, where he completed 138 Bundesliga matches and scored 59 goals. The 2.02m tall striker earned 83 caps for the Czech Republic and scored 51 international goals. He is his country's record goalscorer.

VfL Bochum have extended the contract with their Swiss head coach Marcel Koller for another two years until 2010. "I like my job with VfL very much, because the co-operation is based on mutual trust. Together we have set joint goals which we want to achieve in the upcoming years”, Koller said.

The Board and Executive Board of the club were also pleased at Koller "doing an excellent job” and are now able to make long-term plans. Koller had taken over as head coach at Bochum on May 23, 2005

Bayern München have loaned defender Mats Hummels to Borussia Dortmund. The U21 international will sign an 18-month contract until June 30, 2009.

After that the 19-year-old should return to the Bavarians. Hummels has been with Bayern München since he was seven years old, but as yet has played just one Bundesliga match.

Jörg Berger has left his mark in the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga during a coaching career spanning 35 years. The 63 year-old Gotenhafen native was last at the helm of Hansa Rostock and has coached a total of 13 Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga teams, as well as FC Basel and the Turkish club Bursaspor. Berger spoke about several newly acquired players in the Bundesliga.

Jörg Berger on…

…the new acquisitions in general

"There are hardly any desperate or high risk acquisitions any more. It was a different situation five to ten years ago. Back then, you were often wondering why this or that player was picked up. Nowadays, the acquisition process is much more precise and systematic. Match tape, scouts in Germany and abroad, a better information flow and more detailed reports on players have made it easier to decide which players to sign. The result is good for both parties. At this point, I can already say that excellent acquisitions were made."

…Bayern and HSV: the young "wild" players

"I've heard and read about the acquisitions of Breno at FC Bayern and Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe at Hamburger SV. It's always a bit more difficult to judge younger players. Both seem to be very talented defenders and both seem to be future investments. In the end, Bayern and HSV are in a very good position, defensively speaking. So these players won't have an immediate impact. I think Odjidja-Ofoe will have an easier time. He's from Belgium and has played at RSC Anderlecht, which makes it easier to adjust to the Bundesliga. Breno is from South America, and South Americans typically need a bit of time to get adjusted. But then again, Bayern have always done a very good job at that."

…Raffael: bolstering Hertha's offence

"I saw Raffael when he played in Switzerland. It's well known that he was the player Hertha coach Lucien Favre wanted. I always find that a bit strange. A coach first has to come from a country like Switzerland in order to sign a bunch of Swiss players. Raffael can definitely make an impact in Berlin. It's sometimes painful to watch the Marco Pantelic one-man show. And if Hertha loses a player to injury, then their offence ceases to perform at all. This is an immensely important signing. The Berlin squad have goals they want to achieve. They want to be a top club."

…Schalke's offensive moves

"In my opinion, Schalke 04's acquisition deals will yield more returns than any other in the league. Three new offensive players at once and two of them - Zé Roberto and Albert Streit - will already be very important in the second leg of the season. Streit gives Schalke depth at midfield. If he's healthy when the second part of the season starts, then he will have an immediate impact. Streit has the potential to develop into a top player like Mladen Krstajjc, Marcelo Bordon or Kevin Kuranyi. Zé Roberto is an unknown commodity in Germany but he has experience playing in Europe, and Schalke were set on signing him. They'll soon know why. Hopefully, we will too."

…Ismael's new chance

"I hope that Valerien Ismael will completely regain his health. If he manages that, then he can become an important player for Hannover 96 in the second leg and farther down the road. At Werder Bremen, Ismael showed the kind of leadership potential he has. His stint at Bayern was unfortunately plagued by injuries. And then at some point, he became dispensable. But in Hannover, he can once again become one of the Bundesliga's best players."

…Nürnberg's new striker

"We're all very familiar with Jan Koller from his time in Dortmund. He's definitely one of the best strikers in Europe. He's very experienced, heads the ball well and stands out as a player who puts his team first. I'm still a little puzzled about the acquistion though. In the end, Koller is a similar kind of player like Angelos Charisteas. I'm assuming that Hans Meyer wants to add few new wrinkles to his system and that Charisteas will go, or one of the two players will have a difficult time. I've always preferred having two different types of strikers, one who heads the ball well and another who breaks the match open. Koller is the type of player who creates possibilities for his teammates. A more lively counterpart would complement his style. I can't say much about Nürnberg's second acquisition, the French player Jacques Abardonado. Like Koller, he's also from the Ligue 1. But I can't say what impact he'll have on their defence. Nürnberg will soon know why they signed him. Nowadays, no one is taken on board on the basis of a couple of match tapes."

…Frankfurt and the proven concept of the small acquisition

"Eintracht Frankfurt have remained true to their style. Their signings don't make big headlines. This concept has worked very well in Frankfurt for quite a few years now. They pick up young players who develop very well at Eintracht. Martin Fenin is one of the most ambitious Czech strikers out there and Frankfurt looks like a good fit for him. In the end, they had to let go of Naohiro Takahara and Michael Thurk. I think the departure of the Japanese player makes sense. He played well in Frankfurt upon his arrival and scored. But this season, he hasn't played much of a big role."

Michael Zorc will remain the sporting director of Borussia Dortmund until 2009. This was announced by managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke. "We had a good discussion with Michael Zorc and agreed to continue our co-operation", Watzke said.

"I am pleased that the club continue to give me their confidence and that I can participate in directing the sporting future of the club", Zorc commented.

MSV Duisburg are preparing for the second half of the season without Youssef Mokhtari. The Moroccan midfielder persuaded the table's bottom club to prematurely release him from his contract running until June 2008. Mokhtari moves immediately to Al-Rayyan Sports Club in Qatar.

Eintracht Frankfurt have signed the Czech international Martin Fenin from FK Teplice. The 20-year-old striker received a contract valid from January 1, 2008 until 2012.

"I am really happy that this move came true. Even as a junior the Bundesliga has been a dream for me, and I can hardly wait for the first match. I am also looking forward to the great fans and the Eintracht stadium”, Fenin said.

Hamburger SV have signed Jonathan Pitroipa. The 21-year-old midfield player will move from 2. Bundesliga club SC Freiburg to the Hanseatic city where he will get a contract until June 30, 2012.

"We are pleased that we have achieved this transfer. We have watched Jonathan extensively and are certain that he will further improve our game with his quickness and technique”, said HSV sporting director Dietmar Beiersdorfer.

The Bundesliga is top – throughout Europe. In a comparison with the four other European top leagues in England (Premier League), Italy (Serie A), Spain (Primera Division) and France (Ligue 1) the Bundesliga was said to currently offer the most variety in football and the greatest excitement.

bundesliga.de names the "Top Ten”, which make the Bundesliga the best:

Fact1: The Bundesliga recorded the fewest draws in the five big European leagues – just 22.9 per-cent of matches finished without a winner. In Italy there has been a flood of ties, with 36.3 per-cent of all matches ending on equal terms.

Fact2: No suggestion of a lack of attacking football in the Bundesliga: the most goals have been scored in Germany. On average, the Bundesliga clubs scored 2.8 goals per match. A lack of goals is reigning in France. Just 2.2 goals per game on average are recorded in the World Cup runners-up homeland.

Fact3: German referees rarely have to reach for a red card – just 1.4 times per round of matches on average. However, England is not at the top of the sending off league. No, it's Spain where 4.4 players per competition day take early showers.

Fact4: Penalties are awarded less often in the Bundesliga: referees point to the penalty spot just 1.9 times during a competition day. Italy lead in that area with 3.0.

Fact5: The quota of success from the penalty point is highest in Germany, with 90.6 per-cent of all penalties converted. The French could do with more accuracy. Just 74.4 per-cent of all penalty takers are successful in Ligue 1.

Fact6: Bundesliga spectators witness the most shots on goal. On average, they see 28.9 per match. Spain have the lowest average: 24.5 shots on goal during a match in the Primera Division.

Fact7: Germany lead the way with headers -- 21.3 per-cent of all goals have been netted with the head. This is the highest quota among other European top leagues. It's completely different in England, where just 16.1 per-cent of all Premier League goals are headers.

Fact8: The Bundesliga is not good for weak nerves. The first five teams are separated by just seven points. No other league extends such excitement. Boredom is reigning in Italy, for instance, where 15 points separate the best five teams.

Fact9: No fewer than four players share the lead in the goalscoring list in the Bundesliga. Luca Toni, Miroslav Klose (both FC Bayern München), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburger SV) and Diego (Werder Bremen) have all scored nine goals each. That's unique in the five European top leagues.

Fact10: The situation at the bottom of the table is also looking much better in the Bundesliga than in the rest of Europe. MSV Duisburg is the best of the last-placed teams in the five top leagues with 13 points, and a gap of four