Several of the best Black & Yellow moments of 2022 took place in spring this year. In the first part of our highlights series, we looked back at the return to a full-capacity SIGNAL IDUNA PARK. A few weeks later, the stadium played host to two more emotional moments that shaped this year: the charity match against Dynamo Kyiv and Michael Zorc's farewell. Also in the second part of our 09 Black & Yellow moments of 2022 series: the BVB women's double triumph in their first-ever season.

Memorable friendly for Ukraine

After Russia launched its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine at the end of February, Borussia Dortmund wanted to help. For this reason, BVB played a friendly match against top Ukrainian club Dynamo Kyiv at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK on 26 April, with all proceeds going to good causes.

The entertaining match, which was watched by 35,000 spectators, ended in a 3-2 defeat – but the result was secondary that day. "It's about making a statement. A message for solidarity and against this despicable war of aggression," said chief executive officer Hans-Joachim Watzke, who estimated the amount to be donated at €400,000.

The Dynamo Kyiv line-up was read out by Ivan Matviichuk. The 16-year-old, a footballer for Shakhtar Donetsk at U17 level, fled Ukraine together with his mother and grandfather. Nikita Semenov, 13, who played in the Dynamo Kyiv academy, came on to the pitch to kick off the match.

In addition to the game against Dynamo Kyiv, BVB have supported Ukraine with other initiatives too. The first team wore a special shirt for their match against Arminia Bielefeld, a solidarity armband was sold in the Online Shop and countless boxes containing donated goods were brought to the Halls of Westphalia in order to be transported to Ukraine. For one thing shall always remain true: Borussia unites generations, men and women, and all nations.

image

"Your dreams became our story. Thanks, Michael"

One of the most emotional moments of 2022 came on 14 May, the day of a 2-1 home win against Hertha BSC and the final round of the Bundesliga season. In addition to the departure of eight players – including BVB legend Marcel Schmelzer following a 17-year stay at the club – Michael Zorc also took his place in the dugout for the final time as a member of Borussia Dortmund's sporting management. After 44 years as a player and sporting director in Dortmund, he has cemented his reputation as one of the greatest Black & Yellows of all time.

"We're all Dortmund boys!" and "We'll always be Borussians!" rang out from the South Stand. "Your dreams became our story. Thanks, Michael," was superimposed on the pitchside hoardings as Zorc walked over to the South Stand to bid farewell to the supporters. There was a big choreo in his honour as the teams came out onto the pitch too.

Several tears were shed in the stadium after the game and Zorc addressed all the BVB fans once more: "It is a very difficult day, but a very beautiful day at the same time. Thank you for the choreo, it was wonderful, you can't ask for more. I don't know if I deserve it. It feels like a journey back in time today. Forty-seven years ago, I stood where you stand today for the first time. I thank you for your support and can only take a bow before you. Always BVB!" 

Forty-four years in Black & Yellow, BVB's record player with 572 appearances, 159 goals, five German titles, four DFB-Pokal triumphs, one Champions League and one Club World Cup – thanks for everything, legend!

The big farewell interview with Michael Zorc can be found here.

image

BVB women: Promotion and cup win in first year

The Borussia Dortmund women's football team was founded in the summer of 2021. Under a year later, they had already won the championship in their first season in the Kreisliga A – a triumph that secured their promotion to the Bezirksliga – and lifted the Kreispokal.

With a maximum tally of 54 points from 18 matches and an impressive goal difference of 143-3, the girls took the division by storm. But that alone was not enough to seal their rise to the next league. That moment came on 25 May in the decisive promotion play-off against TV Brechten II, who themselves had become champions of the second Kreisliga A pool. Playing in front of approximately 1,000 spectators at the Bezirkssportanlage in Dortmund-Nette, head coach Thomas Sulewski's team ran out 4-0 winners and got their reward for an outstanding campaign. As the coach himself put it in the aftermath of the match: "The season was wonderful; we have an amazing team."

Only a few days later, the Black & Yellows contested the Kreispokal final. This time they were up against the TV Brechten first team, who had just gained promotion to the Landesliga. By winning 3-0 and lifting the cup, the BVB women rounded off a fantastic first season in style.

image