Mad Brit Diary

Borussia Dortmund is the champ when it comes to drawing fans.

(Friday, January 23, 2004) -- So which team in Europe is pulling in the biggest crowds these days, Real Madrid, Manchester United or AC Milan?

Close. It's Borussia Dortmund of Germany's Bundesliga.

The Ruhr Valley club has the biggest home crowds, with an average of 76,444. Recently, a crowd of 80,500 turned up to see Dortmund play Hannover 96.

Germans love the game, especially in the industrial Ruhr Valley region, where Schalke 04 pulls in an average gate of 60,971. German giant and fashionable Bayern Munich draws around 60,500 a game to the Olympic Stadium.

According to recent statistics, the German Bundesliga has an average attendance of 36,492, the highest in Europe. Tickets are cheaper in Germany than the English Premier League -- costing between $11-$50 -- and the fans are getting excited about hosting the 2006 World Cup. The Germans are also building new and better stadiums.

In England, Manchester United rules with an average crowd of 67,655 according to the Premier League's official web site. Newcastle United comes behind the Red Devils, drawing 51,898 fans to St. James Park. Manchester City brings in an average crowd of 46,624 who are desperate to see the Blues win a few home games at the City Stadium. The Premier League average is a high 34,764, second only to Germany.

AC Milan draws the biggest crowds in Italy's Serie A with 62,731 per game, followed by Inter Milan (59,496) and Roma (56,392). The league averages around 29,974.

In Spain, Real Madrid rules with average home crowd of 73,500. That's not surprising when you have the best selection of players in the world, including Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Ronaldo, Raul, David Beckham and Roberto Carlos.

Behind Real, the Catalan giant Barcelona averages 68,595 per game, while Atletico Madrid draws 46,363. La Liga averages a gate of 28,633.

In France, Marseille is the winner with an average home attendance of 53,867 with Paris St. Germain at 39,573 and Lens at 36,100. An average of 20,103 attend games in France, even while the best stars have been exported to Arsenal.

In the Netherlands, Ajax of Amsterdam (48,523) is ahead of Feyenoord of Rotterdam (41,214) with PSV Eindhoven coming in third (33,125). The league average is 16,166.

In Scotland, Celtic (58,479) beat Rangers (49,453) with Edinburgh-based Hearts a distant third with a home gate of 12,521.

In England's First Division, West Ham United draws 30,819. In the Second Division, Sheffield Wednesday attracts 22,601, while Hull City (15,894) leads the Third Division.

For those who missed it, Europe's soccer federation UEFA recently named its 2003 team of the year. Here is the star team: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Paulo Ferreira (FC Porto) Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan), Paolo Maldini (AC Milan), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid), Luís Figo (Real Madrid), David Beckham (Real Madrid), Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid), Pavel Nedved (Juventus), Thierry Henry (Arsenal) and Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United).

Casey Stone asks: "Mad Brit, when was the last time the United States men won a game in Europe? I was 13, 1998 -- against Austria. Following that, the U.S. had a streak of nine straight losses on the continent of Europe before finally playing to a draw against Cameroon last June (in France). But I've had a vision. Somehow, perhaps through an act of God, the U.S. is going to beat the Netherlands on February 18."

Paul Lorinczi writes: "You know, Santiano Carrizo has a point. Even in American sports, there is no real connection to the 'club.' Fans' allegiance to their team is when they are hot. The only thing that comes close is people's passion towards their college. Why is that? Because they lived with their university or college for four years and were a part of it. It was something (in which) they could choose to participate. We need to work towards creating more of a "club" culture in our football here."

Sam Kpakiwa writes: "As always, your work is much appreciated, MB. Keep up the excellent work. Mr. Santiago Carrizo suggested that MLS team names are lame. Well, while MLS may not have more than one team that goes by the name United, City or Real, I think MLS team names are in line with the naming conventions used by other American sports clubs. That's just how we name our teams. Once again, I have to point out that MLS is not the English Premier League, or La Liga or the Bundesliga. So while MLS team names may not posses the razzle-dazzle that would come with such names as Los Angeles Town, Dallas City, Chicago City, or Kansas City City, I think the current names are just OK the way they are. Don't get me wrong, some MLS team names could use a makeover, but so can several other team names in other leagues. MB, this fan of yours thinks that there is no cooler club name out there than that of the one and only Borussia Monchengladbach."

Frank Strazzulla says: "Hey Mad Brit: I think it's time that the USA plays England in an annual friendly. It would be good at the gate and get interest on both sides of the pond (and by no means would be a cakewalk for England). However, I also think it should be played as a charity fundraiser for the families of American and British soldiers lost in Iraq."

Talavera Alvaro writes: "More about the coach carousel. . . What separates USA soccer from some of the best leagues on the on the planet is the politics of hiring and firing soccer coaches. A prine example: Columbus Crew coach Greg Andrulis, after a whooping by Morelia of Mexico (6-0) and a horrendous season, is still on the seat. Another is Tim Hankinson from Colorado Rapids, still on the MLS payroll. And the list goes on."

Heard a rumor, have a gripe or a tip? Feeling lonely? E-mail the Mad Brit at themadbrit3@aol.com.