SC PADERBORN 07 (Benteler Arena)

BUNDESLIGA, SC PADERBORN 0-0 TSG HOFFENHEIM, ATTENDANCE: 14,401

I completed my visits to all 18 clubs/grounds of the Bundesliga with a trip to the Benteler Arena, the home of SC Paderborn 07.

I couldn't actually get a ticket in the home end so I joined the visiting fans who had made the trip north from Sinsheim.


I had been pre-warned by many a football fan in both the UK and Germany that Paderborn's ground is possibly the most disappointing ground to grace the top of German football.

I can't really argue against that but it wasn't a bad as the picture that had been painted. The ground put me in mind of a Dutch ground.

Regardless, on such an auspicious occasion I was expecting the full red carpet treatment and a personal greeting from President Wilfried but, alas, none was forthcoming. Therefore with no champagne reception, I had to content myself with one or two or three 'Paderborner Gold' and a Currywurst for soakage.

It was a good job I did have a few beers as alcohol was much needed to numb the senses as I watched a dreadful goalless draw. Struggling Paderborn were taking on Hoffenheim but neither side looked like breaking the deadlock.

Hoffenheim's Ermin Bicakcic was shown a red card in the 65th minute for a second yellow card offence, and that was the only real incident of note. Most of the chances that came and went were half chances at best. This was not a great advert for Bundesliga football.

The current club was formed in 1985 when FC Paderborn and TuS Schloß Neuhaus merged to form TuS Paderborn-Neuhaus, before shortening their name to SC Paderborn 07. The Neuhaus club was founded in 1907, hence the 07 in the name.

Paderborn have spent the last decade or so in the Bundesliga 2 after a previously inauspicious history. Paderborn reached the top flight for the first time this season and actually started off reasonably well.

Paderborn were mid-table at the winter break but since the restart they have slumped down the table and are now in one of the relegation places.

Given the circumstances a point was probably a decent result for the home side after four straight defeats, though as we approach the business end of the season it is wins that Paderborn need if they are not to make a swift return to Bundesliga 2.