The BVB family − both players and staff − gathered at Signal Iduna Park on Monday evening to celebrate the start of what will hopefully be a successful season. The first step had been taken the previous evening as Rasenballsport Leipzig were beaten 4-1.

The next day was followed by another contest – not on the pitch, but at 11 different stops – as mixed teams of staff and players were put to the test in different areas ranging from dexterity to quick-wittedness. "We were better across the board. But they beat us at singing," said the smiling Lukasz Piszczek and Marcel Schmelzer, who finished runners-up after losing to the "Júlio Cesar" team. The name of a different BVB legend was assigned to each of the 20 groups, who each made 11 different stops including the changing rooms, the Borusseum, the stadium prison (the special prize for the best costumes was awarded to Jovana Sewing and Patrick Hansmeier) and a quiz on Nobby's platform.

The victor was the "Júlio Cesar" team consisting of Lian Schade (besttravel), Thea Hoffmeister (Marketing & Sales), Alexander Goldfarb (Borusseum), Anestis Efthimiadis, Fouad El Eessami, Arne Brügmann (all Events & Catering), Amelie Butzkies, Merve Uguz, Tobias Brandenburg (all Merchandising), Björn Hegemann (Fan Affairs), Nicole Franke (Finances), Tobias Dornbusch (Sports & Bytes), Sascha Panzov (Ticketing), Dan-Axel Zagadou, Raphael Guerreiro (Players) and Mathias Kolodziej (Sport).

The event was not only attended by employees working in Dortmund, but by Black & Yellows based in far-flung offices in Asia. This point was particularly emphasised by Hans-Joachim Watzke and Carsten Cramer in the opening address. (br)