Sports

In 2006, Germany and guests from all over the world celebrated a “summer fairytale” as the World Cup kindled a marvelous mood in the stadiums and streets. And Berlin hosted the IAAF Athletics World Championships in 2009. More sports celebrations are on the way: In addition to hosting the World Championship in Ice Hockey in 2010, Germany will be both the defending champion as well as the host of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2011.

The Bundesliga, one of Europe’s strongest soccer leagues, inspires many young players in Germany. Soccer is Germany’s most popular sport: with more than 6.5 million people in 26,000 clubs, and DFB, the German Football (Soccer) Association, is the world’s largest sports association. It is also a member of DOSB, the German Olympic Sports Confederation, which with its 27-million odd members in 90,000 clubs is the world’s largest sports organization. DOSB supports not only high-performance but also mass sports. The best-loved leisure time sports, other than soccer, are gymnastics, tennis, shooting, athletics and handball.

German national team player Daniel Kreutzer helps promote The IIHF World Championship © picture-alliance / Sven Simon

Ice Hockey – World’s Fastest Team Sport

Ice hockey fascinates countless sports fans the world over due to its dynamism, pace, and impressive duels. While the world’s best ice hockey league is certainly the North American NHL, ice hockey is also gaining popularity and fans in Germany. In May 2010, Germany will host the IIHF World Championship.

Ice Hockey in Germany

FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011

FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011 – The Beautiful Side of 20Eleven!

Germany is gearing up to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2011 under the motto “The Beautiful Side of 20Eleven!”. Having won the last two Worlds Cups in 2007 and 2003, Germany is particularly excited to be hosting the tournament for the first time.

Women’s World Cup

Basketball in Germany?

This American sport may have been invented by Dr. James Naismith in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1891, but basketball is becoming increasingly popular in Germany, thanks to German-born Dallas Mavericks' forward Dirk Notwitzki and the 18 professional teams drawing new fans to the sport. 

German Basketball

Arminia Bielefeld vs. VfL Bochum © picture-alliance/ dpa

What is the Bundesliga?

The Bundesliga is the name most people associate with the top league in German soccer but it is in fact the title given to a far-reaching net of organizations which support and promote the game all over Germany. Here, we give you a quick run down.

The Bundesliga

Source of main intro:

Facts about Germany www.facts-about-germany.de

Sports

Foosball © picture-alliance/ ZB

“Be Part of It!”

Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010

As many as 12,000 participants from more than 70 countries will take place in the 2010 Gay Games VIII Sports & Cultural Festival, competing and performing while seeking more tolerance towards lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals. The program offers an inspiring Opening and Closing Ceremony, 34 different sports, four cultural events and an associated arts festival.

“Be part of it!” is the slogan of edition VIII of the Gay Games which takes part in Cologne, Germany from July 31 to August 7, 2010.

Gay Games VIII – Cologne 2010