Ending on a high note: FC Bayern Munich win German Cup

The final match of the season – the German Cup final against league rivals Borussia Dortmund – went down to a final test of nerves in a penalty shootout. FC Bayern Munich prevailed, and bid a fond farewell to Pep Guardiola.

It was a fitting gesture from the FC Bayern Munich players after their 4-3 penalty shootout victory against Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup final: the job of being the first to raise the trophy – traditionally given to the team captain – was graciously turned over to coach Pep Guardiola. It sent the message that although Guardiola had coached his final match for FCB (he heads to Manchester City next season), they still saw him as part of the FCB Family.

“I thought it would be fitting. The coach has done so much for the team and the club. He deserved the cup.” 

FC Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm

Guardiola was clearly touched as he joined the players in thanking another important member of the FC Bayern Munich family – the fans in the stands of Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, and the fans around the world who lend Germany’s most successful soccer club their support.

Wonderful memories

Fans and players alike will be sad to see Guardiola go, but there’s been no lack of great memories over his three years as the team’s coach: three league titles, two German Cups, and three trips to the semifinals of the Champions League.

As FCB’s official e-commerce and logistics provider, DHL has been lucky enough to travel with the team to Qatar, China, Rome, and London, to name a few places. We’ve experienced first-hand what it means to be welcomed into the Global FCB Family, and over the past few weeks, have been delighted to see the response as we invited fans from around the world to join the family as well.

We received more than 13,500 entries from 132 countries in the Global FCB Family film competition, which called on fans to submit selfies for a chance to win a spot in an upcoming film about the greatest fans of the greatest team in German soccer. With so many entries, it’s been a real challenge trying to narrow down the field to just a few winners, but stay tuned to InMotion to find out who they are soon!

An exciting season ahead

Most Bundesliga players are settling into their summer vacations, but with so many world-class stars, it's no surprise that nine FC Bayern Munich players are shifting their focus to this summer’s UEFA European Championships in France. Manuel Neuer (Germany), Robert Lewandowski (Poland), and David Alaba (Austria) are just a few of the players who will be suiting up for their respective national teams this summer.

After the tournament, FC Bayern Munich will welcome their new head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, who will lead the team on the AUDI Summer Tour USA 2016 at the end of July. The tour will visit Chicago, Charlotte, and New York for friendlies against AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid. Mats Hummels, a German World Cup champion who recently signed a five-year contract with FC Bayern Munich, will likely make his debut for Bayern during the tour.

We look forward to revealing the Global FCB Family film this summer as well! Before the final version, we’ll be introducing you to some of the winners from around the world as they receive the latest FC Bayern Munich home jersey, delivered by DHL, and show us some of the famous sights in their home cities. Even if Bayern’s season has ended, it’s going to be a great summer – Mia San Mia!