09 Black & Yellow moments in 2025 – part one | OneFootball

Niko Kovac takes over – A fan of “lots is more”

At the end of January 2025, Borussia Dortmund part ways with Nuri Sahin after four defeats in 12 days – the former BVB player did not have the necessary bit of luck in his second job as head coach. U19 coach Mike Tullberg takes over the team for three games, securing one draw and two wins. Niko Kovac then takes over at Borussia. ‘‘In our situation, external input from an experienced coach from outside the club is extremely necessary, as I am convinced that this is the way to ensure further development,’’ says BVB managing director Lars Ricken.

And Kovac rolls up his sleeves from day one: ‘‘Only those who work hard will get something. You don’t get much for little. I am a fan of lots is more.’’ Although his debut is a disappointment (a 2-1 home defeat to Stuttgart), the new man on the bench leads the team safely into the round of 16 of the Champions League in the playoff games against Sporting Lisbon (3-0 A, 0-0 H). The team still lacks the necessary stability in the league – the new approach has yet to take effect. And so the Black & Yellows slip to a 2-0 away defeat at VfL Bochum, but celebrate a 6-0 triumph over Union Berlin a week later with four goals from Serhou Guirassy and four assists from Pascal Gross.

A global star celebrates his farewell – and officially becomes a Borussia player

The BVB table tennis players finish their debut season in the TTBL in a solid ninth place with 16:28 points. They finish with a highlight: in front of a sold-out crowd of 1,000 spectators in the Brügmann Hall – a new record in the 78-year history of the department – they celebrate a 3-1 victory over leaders Borussia Düsseldorf at the end of March. World star Timo Boll, who plays for Düsseldorf and is ending his unique career after the season, receives special applause. The 44-year-old, multiple world number one, eight-time European champion and seven-time Olympian, is an avowed BVB fan and will also watch the following Bundesliga match between the professional footballers and Mainz at the stadium. Not only that, but it is also announced at the Bundesliga match that Timo Boll will become the official brand ambassador for BVB. “Combining big football with the small table tennis ball makes sense at this point, because Timo Boll, as a long-time fan, has cheered on every BVB game in the past despite all his travel and tournament exertions and has always lived out his fandom very emotionally,” says BVB managing director Carsten Cramer.

Head of department Ulla Reitemeyer and sporting director Evgeny Fadeev are also sending a signal for the coming table tennis season: following Anders Lind last year, they have already signed Kristian Karlsson, their second world-class player, to continue on the path they have taken in the Bundesliga.

BVB beat Barcelona, and exit the tournament to deafening applause!

BVB face one of the best teams in the world in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. In the first leg, the Black & Yellows lose 4-0 away to the Spanish giants, but a week later, after an outstanding performance at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK, they come close to causing a sensation: until the end of a memorable evening in mid-April, Dortmund can dream of a football miracle. At first, only one team are playing – while the other struggle Driven on by a fantastic crowd, attack after attack rolls towards Barcelona’s penalty area. Serhou Guirassy scores from the penalty spot in the 11th minute to make it 1-0, and another goal from Pascal Gross shortly afterwards is disallowed for offside. Barca only manage to break free late in the half, but Dortmund start the second period as brilliantly as they did the first. Three minutes after the restart, Guirassy makes it 2-0, but shortly afterwards Ramy Bensebaini scores an own goal. Guirassy’s third goal a quarter of an hour before the end gives rise to new hope, especially as Julian Brandt also scores. But here too: offside.

In the end, Borussia Dortmund “only” managed a 3-1 win against the Spanish champions. They also notched up points 17 and 18 in UEFA’s five-year ranking, making them the most successful German participant in the 2024/25 season ahead of Munich (17 points), Frankfurt (15), Leverkusen (11), Heidenheim (9), Hoffenheim and Stuttgart (7 each) and Leipzig (2). Another reason to celebrate: In only his second Champions League season, BVB striker Serhou Guirassy secures the top scorer crown. The 29-year-old scored 13 goals in 14 games and also sets up five goals. He thus shares first place with Raphinha of Barcelona, who also scored 13 goals.