The FC Bayern players, coaching staff and entourage left Agadir on Wednesday lunchtime for the bus transfer to Marrakech, where the treble winners aim to collect their fifth trophy of the year when they face surprise package Raja Casablanca in the FIFA Club World Cup final on Saturday. Prior to the three-hour bus trip, offering the team spectacular views and impressions of Morocco, the squad completed the customary post-match warm-down. The only players missing were Mario Mandzukic, Claudio Pizarro and Jerome Boateng, who worked out in the hotel fitness room. Pep Guardiola has given his troops Thursday off before the intense preparation phase for the final begins on Friday. FCB can expect a partisan atmosphere at Saturday evening's final after Moroccan representatives Raja surprisingly eliminated Brazilian favourites Atlético Mineiro 3-1 in Wednesday's second semi-final.
Ribéry named Bundesliga Player of the Year 2013
Good news for Franck Ribéry from back home in Germany! The captains of the 36 Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs have voted the French superstar Bundesliga Player of the Year 2013. The annual poll is conducted by the German Football League (DFL) for its house publication Bundesliga-Magazin. No fewer than 29 captains voted for the Bayern winger, who finished streets ahead of Robert Lewandowski and Marco Reus.
Wembley triumph was viewing sensation of 2013
Bayern fans will remember this particular broadcast for the rest of their lives, and the transmission of the Champions League final between Munich and Borussia Dortmund has also made German TV history as the most-watched single programme of 2013. A vast viewing audience of 21.61 million tuned in on 25 May to witness the eventual treble winners triumph over their league rivals in London. The ZDF transmission was easily the most popular of the year in any category. Second place in the broadcast sport ranking also involved Bayern, as the Champions League semi-final return in Barcelona attracted a viewing audience of 15.91 million.
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