Today in History.

 

On April 11, 2017 – The tour bus of the German football team Borussia Dortmund was attacked with roadside bombs in Dortmund, Germany. Three bombs exploded as the bus ferried the team to the Westfalenstadion for the first leg of their quarter-final against Monaco.

The bombing of Borussia Dortmund’s team bus on April 11, 2017, stands out as a chilling moment in modern football history. The incident occurred as the team was en route to their home ground, the Westfalenstadion, for a UEFA Champions League quarter-final match against AS Monaco. At approximately 7:15 PM local time, three explosive devices detonated near the bus in the Dortmund district of Höchsten. The blasts shattered windows and caused damage to the vehicle, sparking panic and chaos among the players and staff on board.

The attack injured Spanish defender Marc Bartra, who suffered a fractured wrist and required surgery, and a police officer escorting the bus was also hurt. The immediate reaction was one of shock, not only among the team but also the wider football community. The match was quickly postponed, and Monaco fans showed tremendous solidarity, chanting support for Dortmund and even staying overnight with local fans as travel plans were disrupted. The game was rescheduled for the following day, under heightened security and a somber atmosphere.

See also: Red Bull shakes things up for Bahrain GP!

Initially treated as a potential terrorist attack, investigations took a surprising turn. German authorities arrested a 28-year-old man named Sergej Wenergold, who was not affiliated with any extremist group. Instead, his motive was financial: he had placed a substantial bet on Borussia Dortmund’s share price dropping and hoped that the attack would trigger a significant market reaction. This revelation turned the case into a rare instance of financially motivated terrorism in the sports world.

The psychological toll on the team was significant. Players later spoke out about the trauma they experienced, expressing frustration at having to play the rescheduled match so soon after the attack. They felt unprepared and emotionally shaken, which was evident in their performance, as Dortmund lost the first leg 3-2 to Monaco. The incident sparked a broader conversation about player safety, mental health, and the pressure athletes face in crisis situations.

In the aftermath, UEFA and football clubs across Europe reviewed their security measures. The Dortmund bus bombing exposed vulnerabilities in how teams are protected during travel. It also highlighted how external financial interests could intersect dangerously with the world of sports. Though the perpetrator was eventually sentenced to 14 years in prison, the event left an indelible mark on the club and the sport as a whole, reminding the world that even in the realm of entertainment, violence and tragedy can strike unexpectedly.