Löw calls up FCB quartet
Germany will contest the upcoming and potentially decisive Euro 2016 qualifiers with four FCB pros. Head coach Joachim Löw has called up Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller, Jérôme Boateng and Mario Götze to his 23-man squad. The World Cup holders, currently second in Group D with 13 points, entertain group leaders Poland (14 points) in Frankfurt on 4 September at 20.45 CET. Three days later, on 7 September at 20.45, the Germans play away against third-ranked Scotland (11 points) in Glasgow. The top two teams qualify directly for Euro 2016 in France in the coming year.
Robben new 'Oranje' skipper
Arjen Robben is the new captain of the Netherlands. As the Dutch FA (KNVB) announced in Zeist near Utrecht on Friday, new bondscoach Danny Blind appointed the FCB pro as successor to Robin van Persie. "I need a skipper who's more present on the pitch," Blind explained. After the KNVB statement, Robben spoke of a "great honour. But I want to stress that we have to achieve it with everyone." The Dutch are currently third in Euro 2016 qualifying Group A behind Iceland and the Czech Republic.
Friendly in Regensburg
Pep Guardiola will use the international break for a friendly match when FC Bayern visit third division SSV Jahn Regensburg next Thursday, 3 September. The match in the recently opened CONTINENTAL ARENA starts at 19.00.
Happy birthday Karl Hopfner
Bayern president Karl Hopfner is an unfailingly regular guest at the Champions League group stage draw at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, and this year was no exception. Hopfner again acted as a lucky charm for FCB on Thursday evening as Bayern were drawn into an eminently manageable Group F, the perfect way to usher in the club president's 63rd birthday on Friday. Congratulations from everyone at fcbayern.de!
Partnership with Columbia University
FC Bayern unveiled a partnership with the world-renowned Columbia University in New York on Thursday. As the school's exclusive USA club partner, Germany's biggest club will support the university's sports management program, offering students an insight into the operation of one of the world's most successful international football brands. In return, FCB will benefit from the university's network as part of the club's ongoing international expansion strategy. Columbia is located in Manhattan and ranks as one of the oldest universities in the USA. The school is patron of the Pulitzer Prize awards and numbers 82 Nobel Prize winners among its alumni.