In fact, there are a lot of good reasons to like the Bundesliga. One of the best, of course, are the preponderance of player websites. I’ve done a bit of scientific* research and it’s only in the Bundesliga where players have personal websites, filled with entertaining facts and often embarrassing pictures, childhood and otherwise. The few I’ve seen for non-Bundesliga players are usually for players with some Bundesliga connection (Alex Hleb of Arsenal, for example, whose website is at the moment only in German, is an ex-Stuttgart player, and the incomparable Volzy is German). They’re unique for their rareness.

In the Bundesliga, though, player websites are far more common. Some are slick (Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has a snazzy flash-driven one), some are a little more basic, but they all serve an important purpose- bringing us closer to the Bundesliga players we all know and love.

As this is a Hertha BSC Berlin blog, my example is our very own Kapitän Arne Friedrich. Arne’s website is a bit basic, but it does offer an English option, which is a nice treat. It offers everything that should be expected from a player website- a biography where you can learn Arne’s shoe size and where he studied ‘economy and administration’, statistics, and a bit of information about his charitable concerns. There are adorable pictures of Arne as a child, as well as an adult Arne reading a book and sightseeing. The German version also features recipes.

I’m not sure what Nutella-Lasagne is, but it’s either delicious or terrifying.

So basically, if there’s a Bundesliga (or sometimes ex-Bundesliga) player you like out there, look him up. You’ll find a blog (probably in German), some interesting facts, or, if you’re lucky, a picture of him in an odd costume as a child.

*note- the actual science involved may have been minimal

Toasters.

Yes, in Germany even your breakfast can prove your loyalty to your club. I’ve seen them for other Bundesliga clubs, and I’m proud that Hertha is now offering such an importance service to its fans.

Now, if I could only figure out a way to get it to work in Seattle…