Sponsoring & Hospitality at Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund offers first-class sponsorship and hospitality opportunities. Customized sponsorship packages allow partners to benefit from BVB's high visibility and strong brand. The hospitality packages at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK offer luxurious lounges and first-class service to experience soccer matches in an exclusive atmosphere. An ideal opportunity to position a company in the environment of one of Germany's most successful soccer clubs and to make valuable contacts.

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{"subCategory":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"subCategory","title":"Department","multiValue":true,"value":"Professionals","exportedType":"text/plain"},"linkTarget":"_self","link":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/nico-schlotterbeck-how-it-all-started.html","stageImages":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"stageImages","title":"Image (Stage Image)","multiValue":true,"value":["/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/profis/2024/06/28/schlotterbeck-borussia/Schlotterbeck_Mbappe_bearb.jpg"],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"experience":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"experience","title":"Experience Fragment","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"appExport":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"appExport","title":"App Export (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"showDate":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"calendar","name":"showDate","title":"Show Date and Time (CET)","multiValue":false,"value":"28.06.24","exportedType":"calendar"},"teaserText":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"teaserText","html":"Bundesliga stars are admired. They\u2019ve made the world\u2019s most popular sport into their profession, are cheered on by tens of thousands of people in immense stadiums, and compete for the most coveted pieces of silverware. They live a life that remains the stuff of dreams for millions. But the way there is marked by sweat and tears, and only a few people get to see that side of things. <\/p>\n","title":"Teaser Text","multiValue":false,"value":"Bundesliga stars are admired. They\u2019ve made the world\u2019s most popular sport into their profession, are cheered on by tens of thousands of people in immense stadiums, and compete for the most coveted pieces of silverware. They live a life that remains the stuff of dreams for millions. But the way there is marked by sweat and tears, and only a few people get to see that side of things.","exportedType":"text/html"},"text":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"text","html":"Who doesn't remember how Nico Schlotterbeck hammered the ball in under the crossbar from over 20 metres out against Union Berlin? How he became a towering figure at the heart of defence in many a Champions League thriller? The tall fair-haired left footer is 24 years old and can look back on well over 100 Bundesliga appearances as well as a double-digit number of international caps and Champions League outings. But how did it all start? How did the little boy from the Swabian Rems Valley become the football star he is today?<\/p>\nIn our search for Nico's roots, we ended up in Weinstadt, an amalgamation of several small villages around 15 kilometres east of Stuttgart. The Schlotterbecks live in one of these villages, Beutelsbach. In the land of spaetzle and Maultaschen, things are orderly and tranquil. A Swabian idyll surrounded by half-timbered houses and vineyards. In the living room, the photos of their two boys - from pre-school age to their latest professional pictures - are a testament to the parents' pride in their children.<\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/profis/2024/06/28/schlotterbeck-borussia/A_mit_Keven_Urlaub.jpg\" data-assetref=\"A_mit_Keven_Urlaub-1719573579475\" data-content=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/profis/2024/06/28/schlotterbeck-borussia/A_mit_Keven_Urlaub.jpg\"><\/p>\nNico Schlotterbeck was born in Waiblingen shortly before the turn of the millennium. The second son of Marc and Susanne, he is the brother of Keven, who is two-and-a-half years his senior. He owes his name Nico to his mother. If dad had had his way, he would have been called Cedric. "My dad's favourite film is Little Lord Fauntelroy," Nico tells us, adding: "He watches it every year at Christmas and cries every time without fail, as he just thinks it's such a lovely film. Little Cedric is the lead character in the film and that's why he wanted to call me Cedric. Thank goodness my mum got her way."<\/p>\nMarc used to be a promising amateur footballer himself before he had to end his career at the age of 19. A mysterious viral illness that attacked his joints and still affects him today dashed any hopes of a playing career early on. Today, however, he is living his dream through his two sons. Both Nico and Keven have established themselves in the Bundesliga.<\/p>\nIt became apparent very early on that Nico and Keven had the talent of their father and uncle. Marc's brother Niels was a successful professional footballer himself and scored 30 goals in over 200 games in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 for Stuttgarter Kickers, SC Freiburg, MSV Duisburg, Hansa Rostock, 1860 Munich, Hannover 96 and Waldhof Mannheim. The fact that they both stand out today with their strong left foot is due to their early childhood. "When they were very small and could only just kick a balloon, I always made sure to put the balloon on their left foot," explains dad Marc, who was left-footed himself and is convinced that being left-footed gives you a better chance of making it as a footballer.<\/p>\nKeven and Nico could hardly be more different in character. The older Keven is rather calm, while the younger Nico is a bundle of energy. "Nico was always on the go. If either of them fell off their chair, it was Nico and not Keven," remembers his mum with a laugh.<\/p>\nIn addition to brother Keven, the lively little Nico had another very close friend from a very early age: Antonio "Toni" Papadopoulos from the immediate neighbourhood. "The two of them were together day and night, basically like close brothers," says father Marc. Immediately after school, the two of them went to the football pitch not far from their flats every day and played football. At the age of five, they joined the local club SC Weinstadt. Nico's first coach, Andreas Berkowitsch, remembers the ambitious youngster well: "You had to know how to deal with him. He wasn't as easygoing as the other boys. He had a lot of questions early on." Toni and Nico quickly stood out thanks to their footballing prowess. "They were the leaders and talkers. But when they lost, there were sometimes tears," recalls Berkowitsch. Ambition is one of Nico's outstanding characteristics. "He'll do anything to win. Even when playing cards. He definitely can't lose," reports his father Marc. Perhaps that's what defines a successful player.<\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/profis/2024/06/28/schlotterbeck-borussia/L2_mit_Toni_4.JPG\" data-assetref=\"L2_mit_Toni_4-1719573596845\" data-content=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/profis/2024/06/28/schlotterbeck-borussia/L2_mit_Toni_4.JPG\"><\/p>\nIt soon became clear that the football scene in Weinstadt was too small for Nico and Toni's big ambitions. The Stuttgarter Kickers became aware of the pair's potential. Nico met coach Jörg Schuller. Unlike Toni, however, he only met him after the second trial training session. The first time, Nico had shown little interest in adapting to a new environment.  However, after being told that this would not be enough, he really stepped on the gas the second time round and was able to impress. "He won us over with his technique, his dynamism and his strong left foot, and we realised that we had a really good player on our hands," says Schuller. "That was the most formative time in my youth," says Nico looking back. Schuller still raves about those days today. "Nico developed enormously in his three years with us, he was extremely eager to learn and always wanted to be challenged." And he praises his hard work in training: "Nico was unstoppable."<\/p>\nIt is 25 kilometres from Beutelsbach to the Kickers' training ground in Degerloch. But Marc and Susanne were more than willing to make the effort. They drove their boys to and from training several times a week, year in, year out. Marc: "We once calculated that we drove around half a million kilometres for the boys." This meant the youngsters didn't get any pocket money, as it all went towards fuel costs, explains Susanne.<\/p>\nDuring this time, Nico and Toni not only played in international youth tournaments against big teams such as Amsterdam, Real Madrid and Juventus, but also played at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK for the first time. A large department stores' chain organised a national small-sided Junior Cup for street teams. Nico, Toni and a few friends set up "FC Bananenflitzer" and, after several regional qualifying tournaments, made it through to the final, which was played at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK in November 2012 during the half-time break of the Bundesliga match against VfB Stuttgart. Although the boys from Weinstadt lost the final, Nico will never forget the experience. "That was unbelievable. Playing in front of 80,000 people was a bit overwhelming. It's probably just as daunting for many professional teams today as it was for us back then as twelve-year-olds. But the fact that I was playing here at the age of twelve and am now playing every fortnight - that's the kind of story that only football can write."<\/p>\nThere is also an anecdote from his time at Stuttgarter Kickers that still haunts Nico today. There is a video on the internet of him as a 14-year-old talking about how he wants to win the Ballon d'Or one day. "That was actually more of a joke. My friends didn't believe that I would actually go and say that. But I did, and it still haunts me to this day." Back then, Fabio Cannavaro was his great hero. The Italian was the first (and still the only) defender to be voted winner of the Ballon d'Or, and emulating his role model seemed only logical at the time.<\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/profis/2024/06/28/schlotterbeck-borussia/L2_mit_Toni_2.JPG\" data-assetref=\"L2_mit_Toni_2-1719573625629\" data-content=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/profis/2024/06/28/schlotterbeck-borussia/L2_mit_Toni_2.JPG\"><\/p>\nThen things fell through with the Kickers. The next year's youth coach didn't favour Nico. When father Marc informed his son that he was to be dropped, tears flowed. The initial impulse was to quit completely, but his unbridled ambition grew into a never-say-die attitude. Brother Keven remembers: "Nico then started to change his diet from wheat to spelt at the age of 15. He always said he wanted to be a professional footballer. There was no plan B. That's why he did everything he could to achieve his goal." Nico's guiding principle: he doesn't want to reproach himself later on for not having done everything he could to achieve his dream. The contacts of his uncle Niels, who founded a football school after finishing his playing career and still runs it successfully today, also proved useful during this time. He helped Nico play for a year at VfR Aalen in a lower-class junior team. Niels managed to get Nico invited to a trial training session at Karlsruher SC. The U19 coach at the time, Lukas Kwasniok (now head coach at second-tier club SC Paderborn), immediately recognised Nico's abilities. He was included in the U19 squad at the age of just 16. His first call-up to the German U18 national team followed shortly afterwards. Karlsruhe was the most important and at the same time most stressful time in Nico's development. "He left the house early in the morning and travelled to school in Stuttgart. At lunchtime, Susanne took him from school to the main railway station and gave him lunch. Then he ate and studied on the train to Karlsruhe, trained at KSC, took the train back in the evening and wasn't home again until half past nine," says Marc, describing the daily routine. There wasn't much time left for fun.<\/p>\nIn 2017, Nico moved to SC Freiburg, where his brother Keven was already playing for the U23 team. Nico won the DFB-Pokal with the U19s, made several appearances in the Regionalliga and then celebrated his Bundesliga debut against Hertha BSC on 9 March 2019. An unforgettable day for mum Susanne too. "It was my birthday. I was in the car after Keven's Regionalliga game in Balingen when Marc called me from Freiburg and told me that Nico had been substituted on. I was listening to the radio and suddenly the reporter shouted: 'Goal for Freiburg, 2-1, Nico Schlotterbeck!' I had to stop and shed a few tears.  Only later did it come out that it was an own goal by Ibisevic, who had been pressured by Nico in an aerial battle."<\/p>\nThe rest is history. After 65 Bundesliga games for Freiburg and Union Berlin, Nico's move to BVB has also come full circle. In Dortmund, he will reunite with his best friend "Toni" Papadopoulos, who plays for the U23s but has also moved up to the first-team squad on several occasions, including games against Sevilla and Manchester City in the Champions League in 2022/23. One dream for the future remains: "There's one thing that's even better than playing with your best friend - it's playing with your own brother. We've already experienced that, and we'll definitely experience it again at some point in the future." <\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/profis/2024/06/28/schlotterbeck-borussia/20240501HD227.jpg\" data-assetref=\"20240501HD227-1719573645770\" data-content=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/profis/2024/06/28/schlotterbeck-borussia/20240501HD227.jpg\"><\/p>\nThat would also make things a lot easier for Marc and Susanne. Keven now plays for VfL Bochum, and the parents want to be able to watch all of their sons' matches live. If the matches are at the same time, they have to split up accordingly. "They love us and football more than anything," says Nico, "and I'm always really happy when I see my parents in the stands at the warm-up and wave to them. I then know that someone is there for me and that gives me extra strength." Father Marc looks back proudly and happily on their journey together: "Brothers in the Bundesliga are very rare. The fact that our two boys have made it in different ways is a huge success for our family."<\/p>\nNico is well aware that his parents' huge passion for football and their great willingness to make sacrifices during his youth played a big part in him becoming an Bundesliga star today. "My parents are the kindest people in the world and have always supported me. Today I realise that I can't take that for granted. I hope that I will take this as an example and raise my children in the same way." With the birth of his first child at the end of last year, Nico has already embarked on this mission, and can now pass on his experiences to his own children. "In football, you need the good fortune to be in the right place at the right time. Plus a bit of quality - then you can make it."<\/p>\nAnd maybe even win a Ballon d'Or one day. <\/p>\n","title":"Text","multiValue":false,"value":"Who doesn't remember how Nico Schlotterbeck hammered the ball in under the crossbar from over 20 metres out against Union Berlin? How he became a towering figure at the heart of defence in many a Champions League thriller? The tall fair-haired left footer is 24 years old and can look back on well over 100 Bundesliga appearances as well as a double-digit number of international caps and Champions League outings. But how did it all start? How did the little boy from the Swabian Rems Valley become the football star he is today?<\/p>\nIn our search for Nico's roots, we ended up in Weinstadt, an amalgamation of several small villages around 15 kilometres east of Stuttgart. The Schlotterbecks live in one of these villages, Beutelsbach. In the land of spaetzle and Maultaschen, things are orderly and tranquil. A Swabian idyll surrounded by half-timbered houses and vineyards. In the living room, the photos of their two boys - from pre-school age to their latest professional pictures - are a testament to the parents' pride in their children.<\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/profis/2024/06/28/schlotterbeck-borussia/A_mit_Keven_Urlaub.jpg\" data-assetref=\"A_mit_Keven_Urlaub-1719573579475\" data-content=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/profis/2024/06/28/schlotterbeck-borussia/A_mit_Keven_Urlaub.jpg\"><\/p>\nNico Schlotterbeck was born in Waiblingen shortly before the turn of the millennium. The second son of Marc and Susanne, he is the brother of Keven, who is two-and-a-half years his senior. He owes his name Nico to his mother. If dad had had his way, he would have been called Cedric. "My dad's favourite film is Little Lord Fauntelroy," Nico tells us, adding: "He watches it every year at Christmas and cries every time without fail, as he just thinks it's such a lovely film. Little Cedric is the lead character in the film and that's why he wanted to call me Cedric. Thank goodness my mum got her way."<\/p>\nMarc used to be a promising amateur footballer himself before he had to end his career at the age of 19. A mysterious viral illness that attacked his joints and still affects him today dashed any hopes of a playing career early on. Today, however, he is living his dream through his two sons. Both Nico and Keven have established themselves in the Bundesliga.<\/p>\nIt became apparent very early on that Nico and Keven had the talent of their father and uncle. Marc's brother Niels was a successful professional footballer himself and scored 30 goals in over 200 games in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 for Stuttgarter Kickers, SC Freiburg, MSV Duisburg, Hansa Rostock, 1860 Munich, Hannover 96 and Waldhof Mannheim. The fact that they both stand out today with their strong left foot is due to their early childhood. "When they were very small and could only just kick a balloon, I always made sure to put the balloon on their left foot," explains dad Marc, who was left-footed himself and is convinced that being left-footed gives you a better chance of making it as a footballer.<\/p>\nKeven and Nico could hardly be more different in character. The older Keven is rather calm, while the younger Nico is a bundle of energy. "Nico was always on the go. If either of them fell off their chair, it was Nico and not Keven," remembers his mum with a laugh.<\/p>\nIn addition to brother Keven, the lively little Nico had another very close friend from a very early age: Antonio "Toni" Papadopoulos from the immediate neighbourhood. "The two of them were together day and night, basically like close brothers," says father Marc. Immediately after school, the two of them went to the football pitch not far from their flats every day and played football. At the age of five, they joined the local club SC Weinstadt. Nico's first coach, Andreas Berkowitsch, remembers the ambitious youngster well: "You had to know how to deal with him. He wasn't as easygoing as the other boys. He had a lot of questions early on." Toni and Nico quickly stood out thanks to their footballing prowess. "They were the leaders and talkers. But when they lost, there were sometimes tears," recalls Berkowitsch. Ambition is one of Nico's outstanding characteristics. "He'll do anything to win. Even when playing cards. He definitely can't lose," reports his father Marc. Perhaps that's what defines a successful player.<\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/profis/2024/06/28/schlotterbeck-borussia/L2_mit_Toni_4.JPG\" data-assetref=\"L2_mit_Toni_4-1719573596845\" data-content=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/profis/2024/06/28/schlotterbeck-borussia/L2_mit_Toni_4.JPG\"><\/p>\nIt soon became clear that the football scene in Weinstadt was too small for Nico and Toni's big ambitions. The Stuttgarter Kickers became aware of the pair's potential. Nico met coach Jörg Schuller. Unlike Toni, however, he only met him after the second trial training session. The first time, Nico had shown little interest in adapting to a new environment.  However, after being told that this would not be enough, he really stepped on the gas the second time round and was able to impress. "He won us over with his technique, his dynamism and his strong left foot, and we realised that we had a really good player on our hands," says Schuller. "That was the most formative time in my youth," says Nico looking back. Schuller still raves about those days today. "Nico developed enormously in his three years with us, he was extremely eager to learn and always wanted to be challenged." And he praises his hard work in training: "Nico was unstoppable."<\/p>\nIt is 25 kilometres from Beutelsbach to the Kickers' training ground in Degerloch. But Marc and Susanne were more than willing to make the effort. They drove their boys to and from training several times a week, year in, year out. Marc: "We once calculated that we drove around half a million kilometres for the boys." This meant the youngsters didn't get any pocket money, as it all went towards fuel costs, explains Susanne.<\/p>\nDuring this time, Nico and Toni not only played in international youth tournaments against big teams such as Amsterdam, Real Madrid and Juventus, but also played at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK for the first time. A large department stores' chain organised a national small-sided Junior Cup for street teams. Nico, Toni and a few friends set up "FC Bananenflitzer" and, after several regional qualifying tournaments, made it through to the final, which was played at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK in November 2012 during the half-time break of the Bundesliga match against VfB Stuttgart. Although the boys from Weinstadt lost the final, Nico will never forget the experience. "That was unbelievable. Playing in front of 80,000 people was a bit overwhelming. It's probably just as daunting for many professional teams today as it was for us back then as twelve-year-olds. But the fact that I was playing here at the age of twelve and am now playing every fortnight - that's the kind of story that only football can write."<\/p>\nThere is also an anecdote from his time at Stuttgarter Kickers that still haunts Nico today. There is a video on the internet of him as a 14-year-old talking about how he wants to win the Ballon d'Or one day. "That was actually more of a joke. My friends didn't believe that I would actually go and say that. But I did, and it still haunts me to this day." Back then, Fabio Cannavaro was his great hero. The Italian was the first (and still the only) defender to be voted winner of the Ballon d'Or, and emulating his role model seemed only logical at the time.<\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/profis/2024/06/28/schlotterbeck-borussia/L2_mit_Toni_2.JPG\" data-assetref=\"L2_mit_Toni_2-1719573625629\" data-content=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/profis/2024/06/28/schlotterbeck-borussia/L2_mit_Toni_2.JPG\"><\/p>\nThen things fell through with the Kickers. The next year's youth coach didn't favour Nico. When father Marc informed his son that he was to be dropped, tears flowed. The initial impulse was to quit completely, but his unbridled ambition grew into a never-say-die attitude. Brother Keven remembers: "Nico then started to change his diet from wheat to spelt at the age of 15. He always said he wanted to be a professional footballer. There was no plan B. That's why he did everything he could to achieve his goal." Nico's guiding principle: he doesn't want to reproach himself later on for not having done everything he could to achieve his dream. The contacts of his uncle Niels, who founded a football school after finishing his playing career and still runs it successfully today, also proved useful during this time. He helped Nico play for a year at VfR Aalen in a lower-class junior team. Niels managed to get Nico invited to a trial training session at Karlsruher SC. The U19 coach at the time, Lukas Kwasniok (now head coach at second-tier club SC Paderborn), immediately recognised Nico's abilities. He was included in the U19 squad at the age of just 16. His first call-up to the German U18 national team followed shortly afterwards. Karlsruhe was the most important and at the same time most stressful time in Nico's development. "He left the house early in the morning and travelled to school in Stuttgart. At lunchtime, Susanne took him from school to the main railway station and gave him lunch. Then he ate and studied on the train to Karlsruhe, trained at KSC, took the train back in the evening and wasn't home again until half past nine," says Marc, describing the daily routine. There wasn't much time left for fun.<\/p>\nIn 2017, Nico moved to SC Freiburg, where his brother Keven was already playing for the U23 team. Nico won the DFB-Pokal with the U19s, made several appearances in the Regionalliga and then celebrated his Bundesliga debut against Hertha BSC on 9 March 2019. An unforgettable day for mum Susanne too. "It was my birthday. I was in the car after Keven's Regionalliga game in Balingen when Marc called me from Freiburg and told me that Nico had been substituted on. I was listening to the radio and suddenly the reporter shouted: 'Goal for Freiburg, 2-1, Nico Schlotterbeck!' I had to stop and shed a few tears.  Only later did it come out that it was an own goal by Ibisevic, who had been pressured by Nico in an aerial battle."<\/p>\nThe rest is history. After 65 Bundesliga games for Freiburg and Union Berlin, Nico's move to BVB has also come full circle. In Dortmund, he will reunite with his best friend "Toni" Papadopoulos, who plays for the U23s but has also moved up to the first-team squad on several occasions, including games against Sevilla and Manchester City in the Champions League in 2022/23. One dream for the future remains: "There's one thing that's even better than playing with your best friend - it's playing with your own brother. We've already experienced that, and we'll definitely experience it again at some point in the future." <\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/profis/2024/06/28/schlotterbeck-borussia/20240501HD227.jpg\" data-assetref=\"20240501HD227-1719573645770\" data-content=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/profis/2024/06/28/schlotterbeck-borussia/20240501HD227.jpg\"><\/p>\nThat would also make things a lot easier for Marc and Susanne. Keven now plays for VfL Bochum, and the parents want to be able to watch all of their sons' matches live. If the matches are at the same time, they have to split up accordingly. "They love us and football more than anything," says Nico, "and I'm always really happy when I see my parents in the stands at the warm-up and wave to them. I then know that someone is there for me and that gives me extra strength." Father Marc looks back proudly and happily on their journey together: "Brothers in the Bundesliga are very rare. The fact that our two boys have made it in different ways is a huge success for our family."<\/p>\nNico is well aware that his parents' huge passion for football and their great willingness to make sacrifices during his youth played a big part in him becoming an Bundesliga star today. "My parents are the kindest people in the world and have always supported me. Today I realise that I can't take that for granted. I hope that I will take this as an example and raise my children in the same way." With the birth of his first child at the end of last year, Nico has already embarked on this mission, and can now pass on his experiences to his own children. "In football, you need the good fortune to be in the right place at the right time. Plus a bit of quality - then you can make it."<\/p>\nAnd maybe even win a Ballon d'Or one day. <\/p>\n","exportedType":"text/html"},"id":"editable-baef63a17f","prio":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"prio","title":"Prio (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"headline":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"headline","title":"Headline","multiValue":false,"value":"Nico Schlotterbeck: how it all started ","exportedType":"text/plain"},"matchId":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"matchId","title":"match id","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"data-layer":"{\"editable-baef63a17f\":{\"@type\":\"/apps/bvbweb/components/newssliderelements/editable\",\"linkUrl\":\"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/nico-schlotterbeck-how-it-all-started.html\"}}","author":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"author","title":"Author","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"teaserType":"relatedContent","match":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"content-fragment","name":"match","title":"Related Match","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"alt":"Schlotterbeck_Mbappe_bearb.jpg","externalId":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"externalId","title":"External ID (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":"395684049","exportedType":"text/plain"},"url":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"url","title":"Vanity URL (DO NOT EDIT EXISTING VALUES!)","multiValue":false,"value":"nico-schlotterbeck-how-it-all-started","exportedType":"text/plain"},"push":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"push","title":"Push (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"tags":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"tags","title":"Tags","multiValue":true,"value":["bvbweb:news/news-tags/profis","bvbweb:news/news-tags/nico-schlotterbeck"],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"internalEzId":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"internalEzId","title":"Internal ez id","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"mainCategory":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"mainCategory","title":"News Type","multiValue":true,"value":["bvbweb:news/category/story"],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"appExportSuccess":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"appExportSuccess","title":"App Export Successful (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"temporaryAppImage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"temporaryAppImage","title":"App Image","multiValue":true,"value":["/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/profis/2024/06/28/schlotterbeck-borussia/A_Schlotterbeck_Mbappe.jpg"],"exportedType":"text/plain"}}

{"subCategory":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"subCategory","title":"Department","multiValue":true,"value":"Under 23","exportedType":"text/plain"},"linkTarget":"_self","link":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/u23s-kick-off-pre-season.html","stageImages":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"stageImages","title":"Image (Stage Image)","multiValue":true,"value":["/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/u23/2024/06/27/u23-trainingsauftakt/U23NZG.jpg"],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"experience":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"experience","title":"Experience Fragment","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"appExport":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"appExport","title":"App Export (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"showDate":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"calendar","name":"showDate","title":"Show Date and Time (CET)","multiValue":false,"value":"27.06.24","exportedType":"calendar"},"teaserText":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"teaserText","html":"On Monday (24/06), Borussia Dortmund's reserves became the first Black & Yellow team to start pre-season. Following an extensive performance diagnostics, coach Jan Zimmermann summoned his players onto the training pitch in Dortmund-Brackel on Tuesday and Wednesday. Eleven of the 12 new signings were involved from the beginning. \n<\/p>\n","title":"Teaser Text","multiValue":false,"value":"On Monday (24/06), Borussia Dortmund's reserves became the first Black & Yellow team to start pre-season. Following an extensive performance diagnostics, coach Jan Zimmermann summoned his players onto the training pitch in Dortmund-Brackel on Tuesday and Wednesday. Eleven of the 12 new signings were involved from the beginning.","exportedType":"text/html"},"text":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"text","html":"Almost a dozen new signings introduced themselves to their new U23 team-mates: Danylo Krevsun and Leonardo Posadas from the BVB U19s, Baran Mogultay from MSV Duisburg, David Lelle from Holstein Kiel, Ben Hüning from SC Wiedenbrück, Yannik Lührs from Hannover 96, Felix Paschke from Hamburger SV, Niklas Jessen from FC St. Pauli, Babis Drakas from VfB Stuttgart, Jordi Paulina from USV Hercules in the Netherlands and Antonios Foti from Eintracht Frankfurt. The sole absentee was Filippo Mane, who is currently preparing for the European Championships with the Italy U19 national team. The former defensive lynchpin of the Black & Yellow U19s will only be expected back at the end of July. New assistant coach Marcel Schmelzer is also absent, having recently become a father for the first time, and will only return next week.<\/p>\n"A big compliment to our sporting director Ingo Preuß, who was once again able to recruit great players for BVB, and also to our groundsmen. The pitch looks excellent," said coach Jan Zimmermann as pre-season got under way with the summer signings.<\/p>\nThe first few hours on Monday were primarily led by athletics coach Benjamin Schüßler and his colleagues, with the group then heading out onto the pitch twice on both Tuesday and Wednesday. They got straight down to business despite the high temperatures, working on fitness and conditioning as well as with the ball.<\/p>\nNext Wednesday (3 July at 19:00 CEST) will see BVB's U23s first play away to Oberliga club ASC 09 Dortmund and then travel to Gevelsberg (6 July, 15:00 CEST), where local club FSV are celebrating their 125th anniversary, three days later. The team will then travel to a training camp \u2013 in Kirchberg in the Kitzbühel Alps, as is tradition \u2013 where they will spend a week preparing intensively for the new season.<\/p>\nAdditional dates:<\/p>\n11 July: U23s vs. FC Kitzbühel (Sportplatz Brixen im Thale)<\/p>\n19 July: U23s vs. Eintracht Frankfurt U21s (Jugendstadion Brackel, behind closed doors)<\/p>\n27 July: U23s vs. Almere City FC (Stadion Schwansbell in Lünen)<\/p>\n","title":"Text","multiValue":false,"value":"Almost a dozen new signings introduced themselves to their new U23 team-mates: Danylo Krevsun and Leonardo Posadas from the BVB U19s, Baran Mogultay from MSV Duisburg, David Lelle from Holstein Kiel, Ben Hüning from SC Wiedenbrück, Yannik Lührs from Hannover 96, Felix Paschke from Hamburger SV, Niklas Jessen from FC St. Pauli, Babis Drakas from VfB Stuttgart, Jordi Paulina from USV Hercules in the Netherlands and Antonios Foti from Eintracht Frankfurt. The sole absentee was Filippo Mane, who is currently preparing for the European Championships with the Italy U19 national team. The former defensive lynchpin of the Black & Yellow U19s will only be expected back at the end of July. New assistant coach Marcel Schmelzer is also absent, having recently become a father for the first time, and will only return next week.<\/p>\n"A big compliment to our sporting director Ingo Preuß, who was once again able to recruit great players for BVB, and also to our groundsmen. The pitch looks excellent," said coach Jan Zimmermann as pre-season got under way with the summer signings.<\/p>\nThe first few hours on Monday were primarily led by athletics coach Benjamin Schüßler and his colleagues, with the group then heading out onto the pitch twice on both Tuesday and Wednesday. They got straight down to business despite the high temperatures, working on fitness and conditioning as well as with the ball.<\/p>\nNext Wednesday (3 July at 19:00 CEST) will see BVB's U23s first play away to Oberliga club ASC 09 Dortmund and then travel to Gevelsberg (6 July, 15:00 CEST), where local club FSV are celebrating their 125th anniversary, three days later. The team will then travel to a training camp \u2013 in Kirchberg in the Kitzbühel Alps, as is tradition \u2013 where they will spend a week preparing intensively for the new season.<\/p>\nAdditional dates:<\/p>\n11 July: U23s vs. FC Kitzbühel (Sportplatz Brixen im Thale)<\/p>\n19 July: U23s vs. Eintracht Frankfurt U21s (Jugendstadion Brackel, behind closed doors)<\/p>\n27 July: U23s vs. Almere City FC (Stadion Schwansbell in Lünen)<\/p>\n","exportedType":"text/html"},"id":"editable-fef1c5a0a9","prio":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"prio","title":"Prio (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"headline":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"headline","title":"Headline","multiValue":false,"value":"U23s kick off pre-season","exportedType":"text/plain"},"matchId":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"matchId","title":"match id","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"data-layer":"{\"editable-fef1c5a0a9\":{\"@type\":\"/apps/bvbweb/components/newssliderelements/editable\",\"linkUrl\":\"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/u23s-kick-off-pre-season.html\"}}","author":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"author","title":"Author","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"teaserType":"relatedContent","match":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"content-fragment","name":"match","title":"Related Match","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"alt":"U23NZG.jpg","externalId":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"externalId","title":"External ID (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":"-630795157","exportedType":"text/plain"},"url":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"url","title":"Vanity URL (DO NOT EDIT EXISTING VALUES!)","multiValue":false,"value":"u23s-kick-off-pre-season","exportedType":"text/plain"},"push":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"push","title":"Push (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"tags":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"tags","title":"Tags","multiValue":true,"value":["bvbweb:news/news-tags/u23"],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"internalEzId":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"internalEzId","title":"Internal ez id","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"mainCategory":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"mainCategory","title":"News Type","multiValue":true,"value":["bvbweb:news/category/other"],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"appExportSuccess":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"appExportSuccess","title":"App Export Successful (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"temporaryAppImage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"temporaryAppImage","title":"App Image","multiValue":true,"value":["/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/u23/2024/06/27/u23-trainingsauftakt/AU23NZG.jpg"],"exportedType":"text/plain"}}

{"subCategory":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"subCategory","title":"Department","multiValue":true,"value":"Handball","exportedType":"text/plain"},"linkTarget":"_self","link":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/season-goals-hall-fans-interview-with-head-of-handball-department-rupert-thiele.html","stageImages":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"stageImages","title":"Image (Stage Image)","multiValue":true,"value":["/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/handball/2024/06/27/interview-thiele/HB3.jpg"],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"experience":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"experience","title":"Experience Fragment","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"appExport":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"appExport","title":"App Export (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"showDate":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"calendar","name":"showDate","title":"Show Date and Time (CET)","multiValue":false,"value":"27.06.24","exportedType":"calendar"},"teaserText":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"teaserText","html":"The BVB women's handball team will start their 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign with a home match against Buxtehuder SV. Before it all gets going again, head of department Rupert Thiele reflected upon last season. The handball boss also spoke about the upcoming campaign, which will be held in the new play-off format for the first time, the hall situation and the sporting objectives. \n<\/p>\n","title":"Teaser Text","multiValue":false,"value":"The BVB women's handball team will start their 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign with a home match against Buxtehuder SV. Before it all gets going again, head of department Rupert Thiele reflected upon last season. The handball boss also spoke about the upcoming campaign, which will be held in the new play-off format for the first time, the hall situation and the sporting objectives.","exportedType":"text/html"},"text":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"text","html":"Before we look forwards, let's cast a glance back to last season. Are you satisfied with fourth position?<\/b><\/p>\nWe were very optimistic in pre-season \u2013 but the fact that Dana Bleckmann and Lena Degenhardt both suffered cruciate ligament ruptures relatively quickly jeopardised our overall plans for the season. And once Alicia Stolle's foot injury and Zoë Sprengers' knee injury were added to the mix, things did not look good. At the halfway point of the season, there were more staff sitting on the bench than players. We could and should have also finished in third place in the end \u2013 but in light of the injury situation and the premature qualification for international competition, we can live with the result.<\/p>\nWhat is your assessment after your first full year as head of department? <\/b><\/p>\nWe're still in the process of professionalising further. That started with the permanent appointment of Yasmin Yusif-Hügle as youth coordinator. I still want to install a permanent sporting director or managing director who looks after the department around the clock. We otherwise operate very much on a voluntary basis, it is sometimes difficult to fit everything in time-wise and manoeuvre this Bundesliga "tanker". But most notably, the collaboration with our sporting director Andreas Kuno and our coach Henk Groener works very well. I take care of the major organisation, the finances, the sponsors \u2013 Andreas and Henk take care of the sporting side.<\/p>\nWhat was your personal season highlight?<\/b><\/p>\nThere was no special highlight. But if you look at the spectator response over the course of the season, in particular the final game with more than 100 spectators, then I see a trend that is continually improving. That also vindicates the work that we do as a department. The spectators come, keep coming and enjoy the handball and the team.<\/p>\nHow did you manage to increase the average attendance from 500 to more than 900 last season?<\/b><\/p>\nIt's mainly down to the team, which plays authentically and well. Apart from that, we've been upgrading step by step: the programme in the hall, tents in front of the hall, everything in black and yellow.<\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/handball/2024/06/27/interview-thiele/G-Handball-Thiele-Kuno.jpg\" data-assetref=\"G-Handball-Thiele-Kuno-1719498539514\"><\/p>\nAt the end of the next season, the HBF's requirements for a hall with two stands opposite each other and a capacity of at least 1,500 spectators must be fulfilled. You are currently working on a solution, what is the status?<\/b><\/p>\nThere is nothing final to report. We're holding intensive talks with the City and the City Sport Office, it's just a question of details. It is clear that we are speaking about a lightweight hall in modular design behind the Körnig-Halle; the construction site is free. Then there would be space for 2,000 to 2,500 spectators. The stands could be dismantled when the hall at the Dortmunder U is finished. The hall itself will then probably remain standing, whether it is for us or for other clubs to train in. There are plans to this end, and the provider considers a construction timeframe of six months to be realistic. However, there still needs to be a Council decision.<\/p>\nThe new season will adopt the play-off format for the first time, the league will be reduced to 12 clubs. <\/b><\/p>\nExactly, the group phase with all 12 teams will last until the beginning of April. Then the play-offs will start with the top eight teams and a play-down between the bottom teams. There are always two matches; if both teams win one each, there's a third game. But I'm not a fan of that, I think the normal system is fairer \u2013 anything can happen in the play-off system. It also definitely puts more pressure on the schedule. <\/p>\nAnother special feature of the new season: the 100th anniversary of the BVB handball department is coming up in the autumn, what are the plans? <\/b><\/p>\nIt's an open secret that we're planning another match in the Westfalenhalle, just like we did two years ago during the Champions League campaign. Something like that only works with the support of the entire club.<\/p>\nHow is the support within the club?<\/b><\/p>\nIt's very good, the contact with managing director Carsten Cramer is excellent, we're in regular weekly communication, we're part of the whole construct. We can always count on BVB as a whole, regardless of whether it's sponsorship or marketing matters. We also work very closely and in partnership with the new president, Reinhard Lunow, who is at our disposal day and night.<\/p>\nBack to sporting matters: What are the objectives for the new season?<\/b><\/p>\nI do believe that we have a chance of becoming German champions with the new squad. But it's always difficult to say whether everything will work out. I'm not saying we're aiming to be German champions next season. But why shouldn't we manage to win the title with our squad? \n<\/p>\n","title":"Text","multiValue":false,"value":"Before we look forwards, let's cast a glance back to last season. Are you satisfied with fourth position?<\/b><\/p>\nWe were very optimistic in pre-season \u2013 but the fact that Dana Bleckmann and Lena Degenhardt both suffered cruciate ligament ruptures relatively quickly jeopardised our overall plans for the season. And once Alicia Stolle's foot injury and Zoë Sprengers' knee injury were added to the mix, things did not look good. At the halfway point of the season, there were more staff sitting on the bench than players. We could and should have also finished in third place in the end \u2013 but in light of the injury situation and the premature qualification for international competition, we can live with the result.<\/p>\nWhat is your assessment after your first full year as head of department? <\/b><\/p>\nWe're still in the process of professionalising further. That started with the permanent appointment of Yasmin Yusif-Hügle as youth coordinator. I still want to install a permanent sporting director or managing director who looks after the department around the clock. We otherwise operate very much on a voluntary basis, it is sometimes difficult to fit everything in time-wise and manoeuvre this Bundesliga "tanker". But most notably, the collaboration with our sporting director Andreas Kuno and our coach Henk Groener works very well. I take care of the major organisation, the finances, the sponsors \u2013 Andreas and Henk take care of the sporting side.<\/p>\nWhat was your personal season highlight?<\/b><\/p>\nThere was no special highlight. But if you look at the spectator response over the course of the season, in particular the final game with more than 100 spectators, then I see a trend that is continually improving. That also vindicates the work that we do as a department. The spectators come, keep coming and enjoy the handball and the team.<\/p>\nHow did you manage to increase the average attendance from 500 to more than 900 last season?<\/b><\/p>\nIt's mainly down to the team, which plays authentically and well. Apart from that, we've been upgrading step by step: the programme in the hall, tents in front of the hall, everything in black and yellow.<\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/handball/2024/06/27/interview-thiele/G-Handball-Thiele-Kuno.jpg\" data-assetref=\"G-Handball-Thiele-Kuno-1719498539514\"><\/p>\nAt the end of the next season, the HBF's requirements for a hall with two stands opposite each other and a capacity of at least 1,500 spectators must be fulfilled. You are currently working on a solution, what is the status?<\/b><\/p>\nThere is nothing final to report. We're holding intensive talks with the City and the City Sport Office, it's just a question of details. It is clear that we are speaking about a lightweight hall in modular design behind the Körnig-Halle; the construction site is free. Then there would be space for 2,000 to 2,500 spectators. The stands could be dismantled when the hall at the Dortmunder U is finished. The hall itself will then probably remain standing, whether it is for us or for other clubs to train in. There are plans to this end, and the provider considers a construction timeframe of six months to be realistic. However, there still needs to be a Council decision.<\/p>\nThe new season will adopt the play-off format for the first time, the league will be reduced to 12 clubs. <\/b><\/p>\nExactly, the group phase with all 12 teams will last until the beginning of April. Then the play-offs will start with the top eight teams and a play-down between the bottom teams. There are always two matches; if both teams win one each, there's a third game. But I'm not a fan of that, I think the normal system is fairer \u2013 anything can happen in the play-off system. It also definitely puts more pressure on the schedule. <\/p>\nAnother special feature of the new season: the 100th anniversary of the BVB handball department is coming up in the autumn, what are the plans? <\/b><\/p>\nIt's an open secret that we're planning another match in the Westfalenhalle, just like we did two years ago during the Champions League campaign. Something like that only works with the support of the entire club.<\/p>\nHow is the support within the club?<\/b><\/p>\nIt's very good, the contact with managing director Carsten Cramer is excellent, we're in regular weekly communication, we're part of the whole construct. We can always count on BVB as a whole, regardless of whether it's sponsorship or marketing matters. We also work very closely and in partnership with the new president, Reinhard Lunow, who is at our disposal day and night.<\/p>\nBack to sporting matters: What are the objectives for the new season?<\/b><\/p>\nI do believe that we have a chance of becoming German champions with the new squad. But it's always difficult to say whether everything will work out. I'm not saying we're aiming to be German champions next season. But why shouldn't we manage to win the title with our squad? \n<\/p>\n","exportedType":"text/html"},"id":"editable-85bad6d0a3","prio":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"prio","title":"Prio (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"headline":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"headline","title":"Headline","multiValue":false,"value":"Season goals, hall, fans: Interview with head of handball department Rupert Thiele","exportedType":"text/plain"},"matchId":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"matchId","title":"match id","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"data-layer":"{\"editable-85bad6d0a3\":{\"@type\":\"/apps/bvbweb/components/newssliderelements/editable\",\"linkUrl\":\"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/season-goals-hall-fans-interview-with-head-of-handball-department-rupert-thiele.html\"}}","author":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"author","title":"Author","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"teaserType":"relatedContent","match":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"content-fragment","name":"match","title":"Related Match","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"alt":"HB3.jpg","externalId":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"externalId","title":"External ID (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":"245960973","exportedType":"text/plain"},"url":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"url","title":"Vanity URL (DO NOT EDIT EXISTING VALUES!)","multiValue":false,"value":"season-goals-hall-fans-interview-with-head-of-handball-department-rupert-thiele","exportedType":"text/plain"},"push":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"push","title":"Push (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"tags":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"tags","title":"Tags","multiValue":true,"value":["bvbweb:news/news-tags/handball"],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"internalEzId":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"internalEzId","title":"Internal ez id","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"mainCategory":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"mainCategory","title":"News Type","multiValue":true,"value":["bvbweb:news/category/interview"],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"appExportSuccess":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"appExportSuccess","title":"App Export Successful (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"temporaryAppImage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"temporaryAppImage","title":"App Image","multiValue":true,"value":["/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/handball/2024/06/27/interview-thiele/A-Handball-Thiele.jpg"],"exportedType":"text/plain"}}