From Düren to Hero: Andreas Lambertz

Lambertz in 2004 vs. GFC Düren

American sportsfans have it good: A rebound is a rebound is a rebound. An RBI …

In football, however, it's always a bit tricky when it comes to individual statistics. To this day, no one could give me a convincing explanation of how a "Zweikampf" (mixture of tackle and 50-50) is exacty defined. Where do short passes stop, where do long passes begin?

Ever since the emergence of companies like Opta or Impire, statistics evaluation has been transformed into an absurd record hunting business.

NEW RECORD: four headed goals in seven games with unwashed ears. You name it.

Despite that, no football player has ever gained promotion with the very same club from level 4 of the league system to the Bundesliga, having played in each of these divisions.

Well, at least until matchday three of the current season. Hats off to Fortuna Düsseldorf's skipper Andreas "Lumpi" Lambertz!

An achievement not to be expected from a narrow-chested midfielder cutting his way through the lowlands of Oberliga Nordrhein in 2004.

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Knocked out Referee: The Luisão Situation

In a Fortuna Düsseldorf v Benfica friendly this afternoon, the ref got knocked out by Benfica skipper Luisão. The incident has not been that easy to evaluate, the game however was instantly abandoned after Christian Fischer came round.

So it's up to you: Malicious attack or simply the worst performance by an actor in a supporting role?

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Relegation does not necessarily mean Relegation

Hertha's last lifeline

One of the local specialities of German football: the relegation play-offs. It's simply called "Relegation" in this part of the world, which might sound strange to foreign ears. Indroduced in the 1981-82 season, the 1. Bundesliga relegation playoffs were played until 1991 and then again since 2009 following a 18-year hiatus.

Easy formula: Third team from bottom of 1. Bundesliga plays a two-legged playoff with the third-place team of 2. Bundesliga, with the winner playing 1. Bundesliga the next season. Away goals rule applies. The same format is used since 2008-09 between 2. Bundesliga and 3. Liga.

This year's fixtures:

1. Bundesliga Relegation Playoffs
10th May 2012, 20:30 CET: Hertha BSC v Fortuna Düsseldorf
15th May 2012, 20:30 CET: Fortuna Düsseldorf v Hertha BSC

2. Bundesliga Relegation Playoffs
11th May 2012, 20:30 CET:  Jahn Regensburg v Karlsruher SC
16th May 2012, 20:30 CET:  Karlsruher SC v Jahn Regensburg

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