Real Madrid

Real Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt last met on 18 May 1960 in what many consider the greatest European Cup final of all time. The Whites were crowned champions for the fifth straight year with a 7-3 victory in Hampden Park. It was the first and only final appearance for Eintracht in the team's storied history.

Eintracht Frankfurt's origins date back to 8 March 1899 when it was founded as Frankfurter Fußball-Club Viktoria. It later went on to be known as Frankfurter Fußball-Club Kickers and then Frankfurter FV in 1911. Word War I forced many of the team's player into combat, and few managed to return upon the war's end. In 1946 and following the end of World War II, the team received the name by which it is still referred to today, SG Eintracht.

Crowning achievements
Eintracht was a successful grassroots team in the 1920's and 1930's, but never managed to gain national attention until 1959, when they won their first and only German league title. The following year they became the first German side to qualify for a European Cup final, which they lost to Real Madrid.

Among Eintracht's other titles and accolades figure four German Cups, one Intertoto Cup, one UEFA Cup, and one Fuji Cup. Their last major success was their first place finish in the Second Division of the 1998 Bundesliga.

When the Bundesliga was created in 1963, Eintracht was one of the 16 original teams invited to participate. Until their relegation in 1996, they had always played in Germany's top flight.

Combining youth and experience
Eintracht Frankfurt aren't known as a high-scoring team, but rather as good defenders who play the counterattack. Last year Galindo, Chris, Ochs, and Marco Russ made quite an impression on opposing teams. In fact, Russ was nearly called up by German for Euro 2008. In the midfield, men like Fink, Inamoto, and Caio have stepped up their play, but it's the two captains, Spycher and Amanatidis, who are the true pillars of the team.

Financial troubles at the start of 2008 forced the team to sell three forwards. The baton has been handed to Amanatidis, who led the team with 11 goals last season, Martin Fenin, Marcel Heller, and the club's latest acquisition, Nikos Liberopoulos.

Eintracht, who finished ninth in last year's Bundesliga, open the 2008/09 season at home against Hertha BSC Berlin on 17 August. They began their preseason in early July and already have 10 matches under their belt, including duels against Wigan Athletic and Palermo. Their preseason record stands at seven victories, two draws, and one defeat against FC Astoria Walldorf.