Gladbach all over: Borussia Mönchengladbach guts and glory

Words: Han Balk

Images: Han Balk

Auf dem Bökelberg a small street in a well-off area of Mönchengladbach, is the first stop today.

Although the former ground of Borussia Mönchengladbach was demolished in 2006, there’s still a terrace like park where the grandstand used to be.

A few ‘Fohlen’ supporters have met here before todays match vs RB Leipzig, enjoying the autumn sun and a few good beers.

Probably talking about the good old days of the 70’s, when BMG won plenty of silverware, like the two UEFA Cups and five Bundesliga titles with famous players like Berti Vogts, Uli Stielike and Rainer Bonhof.

©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Borussia Mönchengladbach. Bökelberg Stadion.

‘Gladbach’ a city with 250.000 inhabitants only 38 km East from the Dutch city of Roermond. Not strange that you hear Dutch all over the place. Looks like it is the second language in and around the Borussia Park.

Provisions are not bad at all in Germany and most grounds serve a wide range of tasty food and good beers. Borussia is no different.

No Bratwurst, Krakauer, fish, chips or burger for lunch this time. Try a Pfannkuchen, a baked and fried German pancake with apple slices and warm vanilla sauce and an excellent choice for six Euros.

Today it is Borussia Mönchengladbach vs RB Leipzig. The distance between both cities is 500 km, but it feels like there is tension in the air, since RB Leipzig aren’t the popular team among ultra groups like the Mönchengladbach Nordkurve.

©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Borussia Mönchengladbach.

RB Leipzig, officially called Rasenballsport (Fieldballsport) Leipzig, after a powerdrink multinational bought Oberliga’s (5th level) SSV Markranstädt license in 2009.

The Nordkurve ultras created several banners to show their aversion to what they see as the ‘tragedy of football’. Starting with ‘RB not accepted’ and producing a prolonged whistle when the guests from Eastern Germany were in possession for the first 15 minutes.

The half-filled away section on the other end didn’t care but were unable to overrule the noise with their drum and monotone singing.

At the end, it was Leipzig who took the points, leaving Gladbach to rue the day.

The Nordkurve is already looking forward to Gladbach’s real derby, the Rheinland derby vs Cologne, scheduled for late October.