Bundesliga

A 99-year stay in Germany’s top flight (including a place in the Bundesliga since its foundation in 1963) was brought to a dramatic end for Hamburger SV on Saturday afternoon after the club’s 2-1 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach was rendered meaningless by Wolfsburg’s win against Cologne on the final match day.  

“The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was is lost; for none now live who remember it.” -What middle-aged soccer fans will be saying come 2040  

Jonas Hector is a starter for one of a handful of teams with a realistic shot at winning the World Cup this summer. The 27-year-old left back helped Germany win the 2017 Confederations Cup and played a vital role in getting Die Mannschaft to the semifinals of the 2016 Euros, scoring the winning penalty kick against Gianluigi Buffon in the quarterfinals.

Borussia Dortmund hammered top four rivals Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 at the Westfalenstadion on Saturday with goals from 18-year-old Jadon Sancho, Maximilian Philipp and a Marco Reus brace. Christian Pulisic provided the assist on Sancho’s opener after beating three defenders near midfield before playing in the English phenom. 

If there were a book, this would be one of the oldest tricks in it. The Cristoph Kramer goal vs Wolfsburg on Friday wasn’t anything new or special, it was just a reminder to players everywhere to never switch off during match, even for a moment.

Kramer and Borussia Monchengladbach were hosting Wolfsburg in a Friday night contest in the Bundesliga with the home side already in front with goals from Lars Stindl and Raffael. Near the end of the half, Monchengladbach was given a free kick outside the Wolfsburg 18-yard box.