Zusammen sind wir weniger allein.

In den Sechzigern hat Horst Szymaniak, einer der letzten Fußballer aus dem Bergbaumilieu, zum jungen Franz Beckenbauer gesagt: »Nach uns kommen nur noch Spieler aus Kunststoff.« Das ist die Geschichte vom 1. FC Union Berlin, den Schlosserjungs aus Köpenick, die zwar längst kein Metall mehr verarbeiten, aber deshalb noch lange nicht aus Kunststoff sind. Bekannte Autoren und Union-Insider erzählen von einem der letzten Gallischen Dörfer im Profifußball, von unerschöpflicher Liebhaberei, eiserner Gemeinschaft und anderen vergessenen Tugenden.

Ein Denkmal für alle Union-Fans und eine mitreißende Empfehlung an alle, es zu werden.

»Union verkörpert für viele Fußballfans im Land eine andernorts längst verlorene Romantik.« Süddeutsche Zeitung.

»Weil alle so viel besser gelaunt sind als im Kulturbetrieb, meinem eigentlichen Habitat, beschließe ich nach drei Metern Weg, mich auch hier zu integrieren, für heute also Union-Fan zu sein.« Ronja Von Rönne.

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Mesut Özil ist Fußballweltmeister, Landesmeister, Pokalsieger - und der teuerste deutsche Spieler, der je transferiert wurde. Dass der schmächtige Junge, dessen Familie aus der Türkei stammt, einmal deutscher Leistungs- und Sympathieträger werden sollte, war nicht vorherzusehen.

Ungewohnt offen erzählt Mesut Özil in seinem Buch, wie er zu dem geworden ist, der er ist, was für Eigenschaften man braucht, um ganz nach oben zu kommen - und wie wichtig es ist, seine Träume zu Zielen zu machen, an deren Erreichung man mit Leidenschaft arbeitet.

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"Wer begreifen will, was in den vergangenen Wochen in der Causa Özil eigentlich passiert ist, was hier so himmelschreiend schiefgelaufen ist, der muss einen Blick in Mesut Özils Autobiografie Die Magie des Spiels werfen." Die ZEIT

"Wer verstehen will, wie Özil zur Türkei steht, muss seine Autobiografie lesen" Deutschlandfunk

"[...] ein erstaunlich offenes und aufschlussreiches Buch, das eine andere Sicht auf Özil erlaubt, das ihn als deutlich kritischeren Geist zeigt, als man bisher angenommen hatte." Stefan Hermanns, Der Tagesspiegel, 25.03.2017

In this sequel to Murphy and Mousetrap, Murphy and his three friends, Danny, Jeff and Albert, are making the transition from the tribal elementary school to the community middle school. They are all trying out for the middle school's soccer team, and they're pretty confident that The Formidable Four will all make the team. But once the tryouts begin, Albert, the tribal-school superstar, plays like a second stringer. Murphy's new friend, Molly, is determined to help the boys find out what's wrong with Albert, but when they discover the truth, they realize that Albert is playing a whole different game.

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"Part of the terrific Orca Young Readers collection, A Different Game is the story of four boys who strive to make their school's soccer team only to discover that sometimes you get call[ed] up to play in a bigger game, and that life, like soccer, is better when it's a team effort...A solid, well-crafted story with strong, likable characters that will appeal to readers from Grade 3 up."

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"A novel of courage and achievement told from the point of view of four native youths who must learn to cope with life off the reserve and their friend's illness…Many life lessons are taught with meaningful thematic messages, values and spirit…Highly recommended for primary/junior male readers both for recreational reading and for literature circles or discussion groups."

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Warum ist im Wappen von Manchester United ein Teufel abgebildet? Welcher Club hat die Maxime »Droit au but« (sinngemäß: »direkt zum Tor hin«)? Und wessen Emblem zeigt einen Bären und einen Erdbeerbaum? Von Newcastle United’s Seepferdchen bis zur Königskrone von Real Madrid, den gekreuzten Hämmern von West Ham United über Valencias berühmtes Fledermausdesign und St. Paulis inoffizielles Schädel- und Knochenemblem – hinter jedem Fußballwappen verbirgt sich eine spannende Geschichte.

In diesem Buch findet der Leser alles über Design, Symbolik und Bedeutung der berühmtesten Vereinswappen des Weltfußballs. Dabei zeigt sich, dass die spannend zu lesende Darstellung der Entwicklung vom ursprünglichen Design bis zum aktuellen Erscheinungsbild häufig auch einiges über die unterschiedlichsten Kontroversen im Weltfußball verrät. Nach der Lektüre sieht man viele Ikonen der Fußballgeschichte mit ganz neuen Augen

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Jack’s a star player on an elite soccer team along with his brother, Alex. The Lancers are on top of the league, even favored to win the National Championship. But the game’s about to change. A slick bookie wins Jack’s friendship and introduces him to illegal betting. Before long, Jack is hooked on the adrenaline rush, and early wins convince him that gambling could make him rich. Meanwhile, an ever-widening rift is forming between the two brothers. Suddenly, Jack’s “system” fails and his luck runs out. How could a few losses pile up to a gut-kicking ten grand? When he can’t pay, the bookie gives Jack one way out—throw the National Championship. But can he betray his brother, his team and himself?

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"A very compelling story with interesting characters that kept this reader wanting to read more. 'Connor deals with topics that would be well worth discussing with almost any teen: the value of team-work; honesty; and ethics. I will certainly include Betting Game in our curriculum resource collection and would recommend it for other school libraries as well. Highly Recommended."

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"O’Connor will keep the game’s fans close with plenty of in-the-know soccer patter, but she will also draw other readers with the story of Jack’s slow absorption into a gambling...Hard-hitting...and as memorable as a prison tour for young men who think crime is a sport and a joke."

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"The fast-paced writing has enough soccer action to keep reluctant readers turning the pages, and the gambling intrigue, along with a side plot involving a new player on Jack’s team, adds to the increasing conflict...The tone, dialogue, and emotional stakes ring true. A solid pick for hi-lo sports fiction."

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"Tight and authentic sports action combined with engaging characters make this title great for sports fans as well as readers who enjoy action and drama."

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"A fast paced, entertaining read that will really appeal to all soccer players, both boys and girls, especially those struggling to sustain a reading habit. This book can’t be put down. The soccer scenes are action packed. The boys’ references to world renowned soccer players will engage readers while the emotional pressure to get along on a team will resonate with all athletes."

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Del plays striker on his high school soccer team, the Cardinals, and they’ve gone almost three seasons undefeated. To Del, it’s just a game, but some of the players think winning is all that matters. When an ugly tackle results in a major loss for the Cardinals against their main rival, the Rebels, things get heated between the teams. That night, one of Del’s teammates has his ankle broken by an unknown assailant, leaving him unable to take part in the playoffs.

As Del tries to figure out which of the Rebels’ players is responsible for the attack, his coach brings in a substitute player, and he’s actually really good. Is it just a coincidence, or did someone finally take the above all else mentality too far?

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"A fast-paced mystery with some excellent dialogue, action scenes, and an important message: one should not jump to conclusions and/or judge others until all of the evidence is in."

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"Part detective story, part teenage romance, part reality show, and quite an entertaining quick read. Author Jeff Ross obviously knows his subject, audience and characters very well."

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In 1955, girls who played hockey were rare, and there was no chance for them to play on a boy's team. But Abby Hoffman, a nine-year-old girl with a short haircut, supportive parents, and plenty of bravado, manages to bluff her way onto the all-star team in the boy's league. If her secret is discovered, she'll fight to keep the place she's earned on her team. Inspired by the real-life Abby Hoffman's story.

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Im Viertelfinale der Champions League 2008/09 wird der FC Bayern unter Trainer Jürgen Klinsmann von Barcelona regelrecht vorgeführt und liegt gegen Messi, Eto’o und Henry bereits in der Halbzeit 0:4 zurück. Diese demütigende Niederlage war der entscheidende Wendepunkt in der jüngeren Geschichte des Fußballvereins und ist Ausgangspunkt dieses Buchs.

In fünf Abschnitten analysiert Autor Justin Kraft (bekannt durch den Fußballblog Mia San Rot) die Entwicklung des FC Bayerns von 2009–2019: Van Gaals Grundstein, das »Finale Dahoam« und Triple unter Heynckes, die spektakuläre Zeit unter Guardiola, der Leistungsabfall unter Ancelotti und schließlich die große Herausforderung des Übergangs in eine neue Ära.

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A unique and comprehensive look at the Seattle Sounders franchise and its storied run for the Cup

The Seattle Sounders were a sensation from the start, attracting crowds of sizes unlike any MLS team had ever seen. By the 2016 season, Seattle was averaging more than 42,000 fans per home game, the most of any soccer team in the Western Hemisphere, and more than behemoths like Chelsea F.C. and A.C. Milan overseas. But, for all of its early consistent success, Seattle had yet to actually win the league.

In order to reach the ambitious goals the club set for itself, the Sounders needed the jolt of a championship. To get there would require tumult previously unknown to a club built on stability, a clash of egos, and a title run so unlikely it could hardly have been scripted. This is a Cinderella story for all MLS fans and every Sounder at heart.

The disappearance of his soccer team's leading scorer during the championship finals leads sixteen-year-old Matt to investigate and entangles him in a possible kidnapping. If the Mavericks win just a few more games, they'll make it to the national soccer championship. There's only one catch. Their star player, Caleb Riggins, has disappeared. Matt Carr is determined to find his teammate and solve the mystery. He just didn't realize it would involve attack dogs, a mysterious golden bridge and a family who may not be who they seem. And the big game is only days away.

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"The short, action-packed chapters, the tongue-in-cheek humour, the soccer game descriptions, and the general absence of thick, descriptive passages, will be to the liking of many pre-teen boys."

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"Each character is distinct and believable and acts consistently in accordance with his/her traits. The author is clearly knowledgeable about soccer game-play."

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