The time came at 21:35! The 2022 Bundesliga champions entered the stage, in front of which over 2,000 Bayern fans had gathered at the packed-out Paulaner Nockherberg beer garden. Alphonso Davies had the honour of being the first to present the supporters with the shield – and when the Canadian lifted the trophy into the air, the party really started.
Here are the photos from the title party at Nockherberg:
“Don’t let the championship run stop”
“We’re on a roll - and we want it to continue! We don’t want to let the championship run stop,” declared captain Manuel Neuer to the celebrating crowd, as stadium announcer Stephan Lehmann introduced each title hero individually following the team’s 10th successive championship. Special applause was reserved for Robert Lewandowski, who hours earlier had netted his 35th goal of the season in the 2-2 draw at Wolfsburg, claiming his seventh top scorer cannon by a big distance. “This cannon also belongs to the team. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the assists,” said the ever-modest Lewandowski.
Even when the champions were still flying back to Munich, the party organised by Bayern partner Paulaner was already in full swing. Legends including Giovane Élber, Daniel van Buyten and Raimond Aumann warmed up the masses in red and white, signing autographs, posing for photos and surprising fans with shirts. Reserve coach Martín Demichelis sang “Only FCB will be German champions” - and the chorus of Bayern fans immediately followed suit. The fact that the record champions only managed a draw in their final match of the season had long been forgotten, and the Bavarians were in the best mood for the second part of the evening - the champions’ beer festival.
“Something monumental”
“Becoming champions 10 times in a row is something monumental. The players will only realise that when they retire. All I can say is: utmost respect,” said Oliver Kahn, as the squad lined up in their festive attire again. The CEO highlighted that this run has come during a very challenging period with the pandemic, meaning they could be even more “proud of what this club has achieved during such a difficult time”. President Herbert Hainer followed up and thanked all the club’s staff “who have kept things running over the last two years”.
This team had every reason to celebrate at Nockherberg:
As to what should happen next, Thomas Müller summarised in his usual witty manner: “We'll now let the championship come to an end and have a real party,” promised the 32-year-old. What else is missing from a true Munich beer festival? The tapping of the barrel, of course. And even if volunteer Kingsley Coman didn't sink the tap with the dreamlike certainty as he did with his header in the 2020 Champions League final against PSG, president Hainer was able to declare “O’ zapft is” (“it is tapped”) shortly afterwards. The night’s festivities were opened and the serial champions enjoyed a proper knees-up.
The title celebrations continue for Bayern on Sunday with the fans on Marienplatz:
Topics of this article