Bayer Leverkusen
Football Club

In the early half of the 20th century, Bayer Leverkusen was established by a group of workers for a pharmaceutical company. Although the team, nicknamed Die Werkself (or The Company), narrowly missed a place in the new Bundesliga, they were invited to join in 1979 and have stayed within the ranks of the best in German football since then.

One of their notable successes in recent years, when they continued to assert their place within the elites of German football, was reaching the final of the Champions League in 2004, becoming the first team in the history of the title to do so without first winning their league. They also beat the intimidating Real Madrid the following year 3-0. Along with finishing in the top 5 for 7 years running, starting in the 09-10 season, the team also placed second in 2011 behind champions Borussia Dortmund.

While it remains to be seen whether the team will ever break their “near misses” curse, they are proving time and time again that they have what it takes.