UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Friendly rivalry between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund fans before the Champions League final

Record ID: 255212

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Friendly rivalry between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund fans before the Champions League final
  • Date: 25th May 2013
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MAY 25, 2013) (REUTERS) COLLEGE GREEN WITH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT IN BACKGROUND BAYERN MUNICH FAN SIGHTSEEING VARIOUS OF TOURISTS WITH SOME FANS SEEN PAN FROM BORUSSIA DORTMUND FANS TO BAYERN MUNICH FAN BAYERN MUNICH FAN DRESSED AS 'KING FRANCK' WITH SOCCER BALL AND A CROWN ON HIS HEAD (SOUNDBITE) (German) KING FRANCK, BAYERN MUNICH FA
  • Embargoed: 9th June 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAEIBY0C9Y3T4LNE574737GCEOQ
  • Story Text: German fans of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are enjoying a chilly but sunny day in London before moving to the city's Wembley Stadium later on Saturday (May 25) when four-times winners Bayern take on domestic rivals Dortmund in the Champions League final.
    The world's most prestigious club soccer match pits unassuming 68-year-old Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes against excitable Dortmund boss Juergen Klopp, 45, in an intriguing clash of styles.
    Bayern would appear to be favourites but have lost two out of the last three finals, including last year to Chelsea in a penalty shootout on their home ground, and are desperate for a fifth crown while Dortmund are again underdogs as they look to add to their surprise 1997 triumph.
    Dressed in red and white, with crown and cape, 'King Franck' said Bayern had a point to prove.
    "The expectation is to regain our honour that we lost last year," he said, in front of the Houses of Parliament.
    "Both of us we were in Milan in 2001 at the last victory and because of that it can only be a victory for Bayern."
    Dortmund fan Frank Wilmes, dressed in black and yellow with the horned helmet option, classed his team as the plucky fighters.
    "I think we're the underdogs, it will be hard for us. I think we are here and that's good enough, anything else is a bonus," he said, before being ambushed by a Bayern Munich fan who placed a red and white scarf around his neck.
    A German treble awaits Bundesliga champions Bayern if they win on Saturday in front of 90,000 fans and then beat VfB Stuttgart in the German Cup final on June 1.
    Heynckes hopes to bow out on a high before being replaced by former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola for next season.
    Bayern are even bigger favourites after Dortmund's Germany midfielder Mario Goetze, who will join the Bavarians in July, was ruled out of Saturday's first all-German Champions League showpiece through injury.
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