Hertha BSC: Dominating the Football League

Hertha BSC, also known as "Die Alte Dame" (The Old Lady), was formed on July 25th, 1892 in a Berlin pub called 'Zum Rheingold.' The club's unique name stems from the founders' admiration for a steamship named 'Hertha,' which they saw on a day trip. ^1^

During their early years, Hertha struggled to make their mark, playing mostly non-league football. It wasn't until August 1920 that the team started seeing some success when they hired Hungarian coach József "Napoleon" Rappan. Under his guidance, Hertha won its first regional championship title in the Oberliga Berlin-Brandenburg league in 1925. ^2^

Arguably one of Hertha's most successful periods was during the late 90s to early 00s under manager Jürgen Röber. During this era, the squad consistently finished within the top three of Bundesliga - something unheard of for them previously.

One legendary player who comes to mind is Marcelinho Paraíba. Known for his skillful dribbling and precision goal scoring abilities, Marcelinho joined Hertha in 2001 and quickly became a fan favorite due to his charisma both on and off the field.^3^

Hertha's main rival is Union Berlin. The animosity between these teams originates from the socio-political divide that existed during the Cold War when Hertha represented West Berlin and Union East Berlin.^4^ Notable matches include their first-ever Bundesliga clash in 2019, which ended with a historic victory for Union.

The atmosphere during these derby matches is electrifying, with fans of both teams creating an ambiance filled with tension and excitement. These games are more than just football; they're about city pride and past grudges.

Hertha BSC calls Olympiastadion home - an iconic stadium built for the 1936 Summer Olympics held in Berlin. With a capacity of over 74,000 spectators, it's one of Germany's largest stadiums.^5^

Home advantage plays a significant role for Hertha as passionate crowds create an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams. Some memorable matches at this venue include their thrilling 2-1 win against Bayern Munich in 2018 - marking their first win against them since 2009.

Hertha boasts a large fan base spread across not only Berlin but all around Germany. They also have several organized fan groups known for creating dynamic atmospheres through chants, tifos, and coordinated support activities at games.

One tradition unique to Hertha is playing Paul Lincke's "Berliner Luft" after every home game – signifying that regardless of the result, the spirit of Berlin remains unbeatable.^6^

1. Formation of the club on July 25th, 1892.
2. Winning their first regional championship title in Oberliga Berlin-Brandenburg league in 1925.
3. Promotion to Bundesliga for the first time in 1968.
4. Achieving a runners-up finish in Bundesliga during the 1974-75 season.
5. Signing legendary player Marcelinho Paraíba and his subsequent successful tenure at the club (2001 - '06).
6. The return to Bundesliga after winning the second division title under Otto Rehhagel’s leadership in 2013.
7. Historic victory against Bayern Munich at Olympiastadion on September 28th, '18.
8. First-ever top-flight Berlin derby against Union Berlin on November ‘19
9. Preserving their Bundesliga status with a victorious relegation playoff against Braunschweig (May ’13) 10.Promotion back to Bundesliga after winning Zweiter Liga on May '15.