体坛英语新闻：Bundesliga: "Exceptionally exciting season" on horizon

BERLIN, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- It is an evergreen that attracts millions of football fans all around the globe -- the German Bundesliga, after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil maybe more than ever now that Germany are the World Champions.

What thrills fans most in advance of the opening game Friday night between Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg is an old but trusted battle for supremacy. Two big rivals go head-to-head for the German Championship in 2014/15, the defending champion Bayern Munich and their big rival Borussia Dortmund. Five or six others will be snapping at their heels in the hope they might spring a surprise.

For Dortmund charismatic coach Juergen Klopp, the Bundesliga's "emotional power" is the key to success.

"We have to deliver a competition that thrills fans. If we fail to do so then we've lost our right to exist. The worst thing that could happen is that we lose emotional connection to the people," Klopp said.

"We managed to get people's hearts bound up with the clubs. Even when things don't go one's way for a while on the pitch, it's important people say, come on, let's knuckle down and solve the problem together," Klopp added.

The battle of the giants has been going on since the rivalry between Bayern Munich and Borussia Moenchengladbach in the 1970s. After Werder Bremen was Bayern's biggest rival in the 80s and 90s, it was then time for Dortmund to take over the role.

Dortmund gives fans the chance to choose between "good and evil" . Weeks before the start of the new league season, a "war of words" was already in full flow between the officials of both clubs. Bosses (Hans-Joachim Watzke/BVB and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge/Bayern) have well-publicized "arguments" in the media. One tells the other to "keep his mouth shut". Most fans smile and are fully aware it is part and parcel of the Bundesliga.

"It's something that comes with the meal," said the Bayern chief Rummenigge. "It's something that whets the appetite of the fans."

This season many league clubs will be especially keen to beat Bayern's world champions. VfL Wolfsburg, FC Schalke 04, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Moenchengladbach have closed the gap on Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund by investing in new players.

"The other clubs have moved forwards. I fully expect this season to be an exceptionally exciting one," said Klopp. "I regard Leverkusen and Wolfsburg as championship contenders if Bayern fails to live up to expectations," adding "Now it's up to Leverkusen, Wolfsburg and ourselves to face the challenge as well as the pressure and expectations."

But the Bundesliga is currently one of the most powerful leagues in Europe for other reasons too. In case of the English Premier League, fans moan about high ticket prices and teams without talented English youngsters. And the Spanish Primera Division also has its problem: fans discuss the club's tax debts during a time of a serious economic difficulties in the country.

Bundesliga clubs are regarded as being "healthy" financially as they are not allowed to pile up a risky amount of debt. No other league than the Bundesliga can count on capacity crowds in most of the arenas on virtually every day of the season. On average, up to 90 percent of the tickets at the 18 clubs are sold.

In addition to a new academy system for young players, the German clubs (2006 World Cup was a boost too) have renovated their stadiums and made them attractive for families. Up to one third of the club's customers are currently women.

On top of everything, as German clubs have to comply to financial rules laid down by the Deutsche Fussball Liga (DFL - the league's governing body) and the Deutsche Fussball Bund (DFB - the German Football Association), the strength of the 18 teams seems to be more balanced than in other European leagues. 41 per cent of German fans are happy about more excitement.

Bayern's answer is to keep its rivals at bay with arguably the best squad in the club's history. And the promise of Bayern coach Pep Guardiola, "The Champions League is the most beautiful woman but for me the Bundesliga is the most important competition," said the Iberian coach, "I want to win the German title again - we will do everything we possibly can to do so."