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Bundesliga Review 2003/04

Last season, Werder Bremen proved all the so-called soccer experts wrong and won the Bundesliga when many expected another Bayern Munich title. Here is DW-WORLD's coverage of season 2003/04.

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Werder Bremen will defend the Bundesliga title this seasonImage: AP

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Many people expected Bayern Munich to win a record-breaking 19th Bundesliga title last season but the form book was ripped up when Werder Bremen swept all before them to secure the championship. The new champions then completed the double by winning the German Cup to seal a remarkable season.

Behind the scenes, financial constraints were affecting the day-to-day survival of clubs and were curtailing the extravagent transfer dealings of past seasons. The Bundesliga also weathered scandalous storms throughout the 2003/04 campaign.

DW-WORLD celebrated the ups, commiserated with the downs, and reported all the ins and outs as the 18 teams battled each other -- and exterior adversities -- to make the 41st season an eventful one.

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Reports & Analysis

Another Easy Bundesliga Title for Bayern?

The German Bundesliga started this weekened with current champions Bayern Munich easily dominating newly promoted Eintracht Frankfurt. Some pundits are already predicting another Bayern title this season.

Munich's Soccer Stadium in Spotlight

The president of German soccer club 1860 Munich is being held on charges of accepting bribes in connection with the building of the city's new stadium, which will host the opening match of the 2006 World Cup.

Dortmund May Need to Sell Star Players

Are the vultures already circling troubled German soccer club Borussia Dortmund? Speculation is growing that the once top-flight team is preparing to sell some of its best players to come up with some cash.

Struggling Bayern Munich Ditch Coach

After six years as one of Bayern Munich's most successful trainers, and months of speculation over his fate, Ottmar Hitzfeld said Monday he was being forced to leave Germany's top club after this weekend.

Tax Breaks for Soccer Stars and Hockey Players on the Dole

Top German soccer club Borussia Dortmund has caused an uproar by planning to use tax breaks for nighttime and weekend work to trim its tax bill. Other sports teams are letting players collect unemployment to save cash.

Makaay Boosts Bayern's Bid for Euro Glory

Bayern Munich pulled out all the stops to secure the signing of Dutch international striker Roy Makaay in an attempt to mount a more serious assault on the European Champions League this season.

Bremen Targets Historic Domestic Double Against Aachen

Champions Werder Bremen have the chance to become only the fourth team to win a Bundesliga and Cup double when they face second division Alemannia Aachen in the German Cup final on Saturday.

Werder Bremen Clinch German Championship

The northern German city's football team take the title after a sensational 3-1 win over Bayer Munich on Saturday.

Bremen Leads Bundesliga at Winter Break

German soccer prepares for its winter hibernation this week as the top clubs complete their schedules on Wednesday night. One thing won’t change whatever the results -- Werder Bremen will start 2004 as league leaders.

Beleaguered Bayern Set to Wield Salary Axe

Dortmund Faces Cash Crunch

Borussia Dortmund, long one of Germany’s premier soccer clubs, has had a lousy season so far. But is the only Bundesliga team listed on the stock exchange also sliding towards financial oblivion?

Bundesliga Hopes to be Big in Japan

Germany’s top soccer league, the Bundesliga, is looking to attract fans and revenue from the lucrative Far East market. League chiefs have dispatched Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn to Japan to lay the groundwork.