FC St. Pauli
Since it was founded in 1910 the FC St. Pauli (St. Pauli football club) has had the Heiligengeistfeld as their home stadium. They quickly developed a deep connection to what is perhaps the most famous neighbourhood in Germany and its residents. The first blossom of athleticism began after the Second World War when, in 1948, the ÃÂÃÂWunderelfÃÂÃÂ, or Miraculous Eleven, made it to the semi-final of the German championship. In 1977 the team entered the 1st Division of the Bundesliga, but at the end of the season they stepped down again. After some years in the former ÃÂÃÂOberliga NordÃÂÃÂ, an amateur league, they were able to return to professional football.In parallel to the changing neighbourhood, which was attracting more and more students, punks and artists, an alternative fan scene developed in the mid-1980s and the first of the distinctive pirate flags showed themselves in the stadium. From then on the skull and crossbones served to embody the rebellious and combative nature of the club and its fans. With the clubÃÂÃÂs rise to the 1st Division in 1988, this became a tradition of mythological proportions. Memorable slaughters were carried out against apparently stronger opponents, however, peaceful and fair conduct with opposing teams was always in the foreground. The FC St. Pauli was one of the first football clubs whose followers shut out right-wing nationalist tendencies out of the stadium.
From 1991 onwards, with a two-year interruption (1995-1997), the team and its fans celebrated 2nd Division victories with open-mindedness, tolerance and creativity. Then, on the 20th of May 2001 the young FC St. Pauli won a place in the 1st Division in a heart-stopping final in the Nuremburg Frankenstadion. However, they returned to the 2nd Division after one season. An unforgettable memory for the players and fans, though is the 2:1 victory on the 21st playing day of the season and the indescribable atmosphere at the home goal. Many ascribed the team the title ÃÂÃÂWeltpokalsiegerbesiegerÃÂÃÂ, or Defeaters-of-the-World-Champions.
Aside from the Bundesliga team an ambitious amateur team in the Oberliga Nord plays at the FC St. Pauli. Many of these players have achieved positions on professional teams. In total, 11 Amateur divisions belong to the FC St. Pauli, the most successful of which is the rugby team, with many German championship titles, particularly in the womenÃÂÃÂs team. Further departments and sports offered include: American football (the St. Pauli Buccaneers), baseball and softball, bowling, womenÃÂÃÂs football, handball, chess, and table tennis. At this time the FC St. Pauli has over 5900 members.