Signs that things are different for Hertha this season: they’re the live game on GolTV’s Bundesliga coverage, and they’ve got the superstar commentary team (Ray and Phil, of course) talking over it. True, Hertha v. Leverkusen is on paper more exciting than Bayern v. Bochum, but it’s still probably something that wouldn’t have happened last year, or even earlier this one.

Another sign that things are different? 58,753 people in the Olympiastadion. When was the last time that happened without Bayern (or Galatasaray) being involved?

Leverkusen had the best away record, us the best home record. The result was a win for the home side that could best be described as “efficient.” Both sides were cautious, perhaps overly so, especially in the first half. Leverkusen could have had a penalty there, but luck was on our side again and the ref didn’t notice when Simon Rolfes headed the ball against Rodnei’s hand. The Brazilian also had a header go wide when there was a decent chance of a goal.

The second half came and our luck held. Andriy Voronin and Maximilian Nicu (who’s now been called up to the Romanian national team) played a lovely one-two in the Leverkusen box. Voronin’s initial shot was saved by René Adler, but the rebound smacked his shoulder and went into the goal.

That was all we needed- Leverkusen couldn’t find an answer and we couldn’t find a cushion. Good enough, I’d say, considering that this could have been tricky. We’ve still got a four-point cushion at the top, which means that another week at least of being there. For all Leverkusen’s press as one of the attacking darlings of the Bundesliga, they looked surprisingly poor and lacking ideas at the Olympiastadion- Drobny was as Drobny-like as ever, but he wasn’t called into his usual heroics. We did match the tactics of the Leverkuseners excellently, neutralizing their midfield and their forwards. But I still expected a little bit more from them, I have to admit.

So this goes on. Das geht ab, as says the newest song of the increasingly vocal Hertha faithful. Bundesliga Talk has a good overview of the song that will be stuck in your head for the next forever. Someone, I can’t remember who, once said that if you have a song that somehow coincides with sports, you’ve got it made. That’s basically what happened to Vincenco de Marco, aka Frauenarzt (which means gynecologist. Classy!). He’s a rapper from Berlin-Templehof whose style is a sort of 80’s/electro influenced party rap that’s probably closer to “douchetronica” than anything else, but damn catchy. His song, recorded with frequent collaborator Manny Marc, “Das geht ab” somehow found its way to a mix that was distributed among Hertha ultras, who adopted the brainwormy chorus into a new song for themselves. Das geht ab- this is happening- was kept, but the original “wir feieren die ganze Nacht” (we’re partying the whole night) was changed to a more football-appropriate “wir holen die Meisterschaft” (we’ll get the Championship, or thereabouts). Hey, this is happening- we’re going to be champions. Few things seem as fitting as our slogan, do they?

While Marcos has said he’s not much of a football fan- although he was watching highlights when he realized his song was being sung in the stands- he and Manny Marc have wasted little time in re-recording the song with new football-y lyrics.

You’re welcome. (Here they are performing it in the stadium, if you want more.)

Following the Bundesliga haircuts from a few weeks ago, das Bild decided that while the Bundesliga had some great moments in haircuts, it’s not just Germany that we should be laughing at. Switzerland, too, had some classics. And one of those Swiss favorites?

Things could only get better, right?

Thanks for keeping me entertained through internationals, Bild. I’m out of town tomorrow until Saturday, so when I get back, Hertha will be, too.