Defending champions Borussia Dortmund kicked off the 50th season of the Bundesliga on Friday with a 2-1 home win over Werder Bremen thanks to goals from Germany stars Marco Reus and Mario Goetze.
Dortmund and Bremen contested the first Bundesliga match back in 1963 and it was the same pair who opened the 2012-2013 season on Friday night at Borussia’s sold-out Signal Iduna Park Stadium in front of 80,645 spectators.
New signings opened the scoring for both clubs as Reus fired home in the first-half for Dortmund, while Bremen’s Czech Republic defender Theodor Gebre Selassie headed the equalizer 15 minutes from time.
However, Goetze grabbed the winner for the hosts just three minutes after coming off the bench.
“The way it happened didn’t impress me or a few others, but the most important thing was to start with the three points,” Dortmund defender Mats Hummels said.
Reus said he was just delighted to have made his debut.
“I had goosebumps when I ran out and I am happy that I am now a Dortmund player,” the 23-year-old said. “I think the opening goal was really important for the team.”
Dortmund last lost in the league almost a year ago when they suffered a 2-1 defeat at Hanover on Sept. 18, and this was their 29th game without losing in the Bundesliga. They are just seven matches short of Hamburg’s record of 36 matches set in 1982 and 1983.
It was 1-0 at the break on Friday with Reus needing only 11 minutes to show his class.
Poland captain Jakub Blaszczykowski flicked the ball through for Reus, who joined from Moenchengladbach at the end of last season, to drill the ball into the far corner.
Reus was brought in to fill the vacant attacking midfielder spot in the wake of Shinji Kagawa’s move to Machester United.
Bremen came back as new signing Dutch striker Eljero Elia was only denied by a fine save from Roman Weidenfeller before Austrian striker Marko Arnautovic slammed a shot against the post.
After the break, Dortmund turned up the pressure as Germany defender Hummels rose highest from a corner, but Bremen goalkeeper Sebastian Mielitz palmed the ball over the bar.
Dortmund were punished from some sloppy defending when Gebre Selassie put in a looping header over Weidenfeller on 75 minutes to give Bremen hope, but the champions reacted by taking the lead again just six minutes later when Goetze slotted home the winner. The 20-year-old gratefully accepted a pass from Poland striker Robert Lewandowski and held off the defense to score.
Bayern Munich were to start their league campaign yesterday at promoted Greuther Fuerth, who were to make their debut in the Bundesliga, while Schalke 04 are at Hanover 96 today.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping