The top 10 fan tifos of 2022

Danke, Michael Zorc

A Borussia Dortmund legend departed the club after more than 40 years of service at the end of 2021/22. During his playing spell with BVB, Michael Zorc won two Bundesliga titles, the 1996/97 UEFA Champions League and two Supercups. Add that to his DFB Cup success and you have the complete and committed one-club man. Zorc continued his love affair with BVB, serving as the club's sporting director from 1998 to 2022. Dortmund fans duly paid tribute in one of the most heartwarming farewells in recent memory.

Watch: BVB fans pay tribute to Michael Zorc and Marcel Schmelzer in win over Hertha Berlin

Fifty years of the Südkurve

"Triumphs and victories, hurdles and losses – the Curve goes on with confidence". That was the message given by this legendary group of Bayern Munich fans before their thrilling encounter with Borussia Mönchengladbach to celebrate 50 years of the Südkurve – the sound stand. Gerd Müller's opening goal against local rivals 1860 Munich was the first goal to be cheered by the Bayern fans under the scoreboard above the Südkurve at their former fortress: the Olympiastadion. Since then, this prominent supporter group have cheered their team to dominance over many decades in the Bundesliga at their ex-abode and their current home, the space-age Allianz Arena.

RIP, Uwe Seeler

There weren’t many players in history that could match Uwe Seeler. The Hamburg and West Germany icon sadly passed away at the age of 85 in July with tributes pouring in from across the globe to one of the fairest and kindest hearts in German football. HSV fans honoured Seeler with a choreo before their match-up against Hansa Rostock, declaring “Uns Uwe” — a phrase regularly known to Hamburg natives which translates as “Our Uwe”.

Generations of Hertha fans together

Back in August for their first home game of the season, Hertha Berlin fans generated a striking choreo before their game against Eintracht Frankfurt. The image depicts a grandfather, father and son sat altogether around an armchair in their club attire, reading a gospel or two from a BSC bible. The Old Lady fans held up their blue and white colours in unison behind the tifo alongside the message: “The Berliners big and small swear by the club!”

Every day's carnival in Cologne

“Today with all my friends - partying until there's no tomorrow - I'm standing in the corner at FC - FC is the only thing that counts.” Passion from Cologne’s fans never stops and their message before a game against Mainz in April demonstrated the unwavering adoration for all things Effzeh. With a possibility of European football qualification back on the horizon for Cologne, fans would continue to cheer Steffen Baumgart’s team over the line and into the UEFA Europa Conference League groups.

Goodbye, Rudi Völler

On Bayer Leverkusen’s final outing of the 2021/22 season, Die Werkself dedicated their choreo to long-serving sporting director Rudi Völler. The 1990 World Cup winner with Germany was retiring from the boardroom at the age of 62, and his influence amongst the Leverkusen fans was clear to see in their tributes at the BayArena. Famous quotes accompanied a drawing of Völler’s instantly recognisable perm and moustache look, artistically draped in the Leverkusen shirt that he proudly wore at the end of his playing career.

Werder Bremen’s promotion celebration

Four-time Bundesliga champions Werder Bremen were relegated from the German top flight for only the second time in the club's history at the end of a difficult 2020/21 campaign. But a new lease of life was bestowed upon the Weserstadion in the 2021/22 Rückrunde, with Marvin Ducksch and Niclas Füllkrug firing Die Grün-Weißen to an immediate return to the Bundesliga. Fans displayed their jubilation with shades of Green and White - Bremen’s iconic colours – filling the stadium as the promotion party began.

Schalke - Welcome back in the Bundesliga

Bremen were not the only sleeping giant in Bundesliga 2 in 2021/22. Relegated as the Bundesliga's bottom club, Schalke had the advantage of being backed by one of the most vocal fanbases in the business. Although the Royal Blues were down in sixth with nine games remaining, they surged up the standings under club legend Mike Büskens to seal the deal on the penultimate weekend, before clinching the title on Matchday 34.

Kaiserslautern's Betze masses

From two sleeping giants to a third. You may remember Kaiserslautern as shock winners of the 1997/98 Bundesliga after being promoted the previous season. Or perhaps you recall them as the first top-tier home of Miroslav Klose? The Red Devils had been languishing in the third tier of German football for several years, but 2021/22 marked their return to Bundesliga 2. Fans cherished the memories of a highly successful season with a choreo reading: “What would the Betze[nberg] be without us? The support of the club.”

Heidenheim toast Frank Schmidt

Fans of Bundesliga 2 team Heidenheim thanked their long-serving coach with a choreo back in September. Over the last 15 years, 47-year-old Frank Schmidt has lead the club from the depths of regional football in Germany to a regular force in the Bundesliga 2 promotion race. Heidenheim almost reached the Bundesliga in 2020 – narrowly losing out to Bremen on away goals in the relegation play-off.

Watch: The best fan moments in 2022