Overview
Eintracht Frankfurt e.V., founded on March 8, 1899, is a distinguished professional sports club based in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany. The club is best known for its football team, which plays in the Bundesliga, Germany’s top league. Over the years, Eintracht Frankfurt has won one German championship, five DFB-Pokal titles, and two UEFA Europa League titles. The club also reached the final of the European Cup once, making it an important part of German football history.
Eintracht Frankfurt is a Bundesliga founding member. They have played in 55 seasons, making them the seventh longest-serving club in the league’s history. The team’s home is the Waldstadion, now called Deutsche Bank Park because of sponsorship. This stadium has been their stronghold since 1925. With an average attendance of nearly 48,000 fans since 2013, the club boasts one of the highest fan attendance records in German football. Notably, the club’s defender Charly Körbel holds the record for the most Bundesliga appearances with 602 games, a testament to Eintracht’s player development and club loyalty.
Eintracht Frankfurt has a rich history, and it is still strong today. The fans are very passionate, and the team has success in Germany and abroad. Their main rivals are Kickers Offenbach, but they haven’t played each other often lately.
History of Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt’s history began with two clubs formed in 1899: Frankfurter Fußball-Club Victoria and Frankfurter Fußball-Club Kickers. In 1909, both teams were among the first members of the Nordkreis-Liga. They merged in 1911 to create Frankfurter Fußball Verein, also known as Kickers-Victoria. This new entity became an immediate force in regional football, winning three league titles from 1912 to 1914.
In 1920, Frankfurter FV merged with Frankfurter Turngemeinde von 1861 to form TuS Eintracht Frankfurt von 1861. The name “Eintracht” means “harmony,” showing the club’s focus on unity and ambition. Since then, Eintracht has played an important role in German football, regularly competing for both domestic and European titles.
Major Honors and Achievements
Eintracht Frankfurt’s trophy cabinet is filled with significant accomplishments, both domestically and internationally. Some of the club’s most prominent achievements include:
National Titles:
- German Championship (Bundesliga):
- Champions: 1959
- Runners-up: 1932
- DFB-Pokal:
- Winners (5): 1973-74, 1974-75, 1980-81, 1987-88, 2017-18
- Runners-up (4): 1963-64, 2005-06, 2016-17, 2022-23
- 2. Bundesliga:
- Winners: 1997-98
- Runners-up: 2011-12
Continental Titles:
- UEFA Europa League:
- Winners: 1979-80, 2021-22
- European Cup (now UEFA Champions League):
- Runners-up: 1959-60
- International Football Cup:
- Winners: 1966-67
These accolades highlight Eintracht Frankfurt’s ability to compete on both national and international fronts. The club’s latest European win was the 2021-22 UEFA Europa League. This victory brought back memories of their historic 1980 win and put them among the top teams in Europe.
Current Squad
Eintracht Frankfurt’s squad for the 2023-24 season includes a mix of experienced players and young talents. Kevin Trapp, the team’s captain, is a key player who returned in 2018 and helped win the 2022 Europa League. Other important players are Robin Koch, Omar Marmoush, and Hugo Larsson, along with exciting loan players like Arthur Theate and Rasmus Kristensen.
This mix of young and experienced players has been important for Eintracht’s success. It helps them stay competitive in the Bundesliga and European competitions.
Records and Milestones
Eintracht Frankfurt’s history is decorated with notable records and milestones that exemplify their prominence in German football. Some of their most memorable records include:
- Largest Bundesliga home victory: 9–1 vs Rot-Weiss Essen, October 5, 1974
- Largest Bundesliga away victory: 8–1 vs Rot-Weiss Essen, May 7, 1977
- Most appearances in all competitions: 720 by Charly Körbel (1972–1991)
- Top goal scorer in all competitions: 225 goals by Karl Ehmer (1927–1938)
- Most goals scored in the Bundesliga: 160 by Bernd Hölzenbein (1967–1981)
These records emphasize Eintracht’s rich tradition and continued contributions to the German football scene.
Waldstadion: A Historical Venue
Since 1925, Eintracht Frankfurt has called the Waldstadion its home. Originally inaugurated with the German Championship final between FSV Frankfurt and 1. FC Nürnberg, the stadium has undergone numerous renovations and is now a modern facility named Deutsche Bank Park. With a current capacity of 58,000 for Bundesliga matches, the stadium remains one of Germany’s premier football venues.
Even though sponsors have changed the name, fans still call it Waldstadion. The stadium is important in history and has hosted many great matches, including World Cup games and Eintracht Frankfurt wins.
Rivalries and Friendships
The most intense rivalry for Eintracht Frankfurt is with Kickers Offenbach, a team from across the river Main. The rivalry culminated in the 1959 German championship final, where Eintracht emerged victorious. Another significant rivalry is with Darmstadt 98, with whom they contest the Hesse derby. The club also maintains competitive rivalries with Mainz 05 and 1. FC Kaiserslautern.
Interestingly, Eintracht also has good relationships with clubs like Oldham Athletic and Atalanta. These friendships, rooted in mutual respect and shared football experiences, demonstrate the global reach and camaraderie that football can inspire.
The Future of Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt wants to continue its recent success and stay close to its fans. The club’s plan to combine young players with experienced ones has been successful. They want to compete at high levels in both national and European football.
The 2023-24 season looks to be another exciting time for the club as they chase more success with their current manager and team leaders.
Conclusion
Eintracht Frankfurt’s legacy is a testament to resilience, talent, and enduring success. With a long and illustrious history dating back to 1899, the club has consistently competed at the highest levels of German football. Eintracht Frankfurt is one of Germany’s most loved and successful football clubs. Their wins in the league and Europe help them stand out. With passionate fans, a modern stadium, and an ambitious team, they will stay strong in football, both in Germany and beyond.
