By Karolos Grohmann

(Reuters) – German Thomas Bach became the first official candidate to be the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) new president on Thursday, saying his long experience in the world of sport was his strong asset.

The 1976 Olympic fencing champion, who is an IOC vice president and has been a member of the body since 1991, has long been considered a frontrunner in the race even before confirming his plans for a tilt at one of the biggest jobs in sports administration.

May 9 (Reuters) – German Thomas Bach became the first official candidate to be the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) new president on Thursday, saying his long experience in the world of sport was his strong asset.

The 1976 Olympic fencing champion, who is an IOC vice president and has been a member of the body since 1991, has long been considered a frontrunner in the race even before confirming his plans for a tilt at one of the biggest jobs in sports administration.

May 2 (Reuters) – At any other moment in the last three years a Bundesliga encounter between already-crowned champions Bayern Munich and arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund would be a season highlight yet their Saturday clash is nothing more than an awkward moment.

Germany’s top two teams have a much bigger trophy in their sights when they meet in the Champions League final on May 25 after brushing aside Spain’s Barcelona and Real Madrid.

BERLIN (Reuters) – Borussia Dortmund completed their sensational roller coaster ride to the Champions League final on Tuesday with a performance that left club bosses on the brink of emotional collapse as the team muscled their way back into Europe’s elite.

Dortmund had looked assured for most of the match against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, but two late goals set up a frantic finale as the Germans clung on for a 4-3 aggregate win that put them in the final for the first time since 1997.

BERLIN, May 1 (Reuters) – Borussia Dortmund completed their sensational roller coaster ride to the Champions League final on Tuesday with a performance that left club bosses on the brink of emotional collapse as the team muscled their way back into Europe’s elite.

Dortmund had looked assured for most of the match against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, but two late goals set up a frantic finale as the Germans clung on for a 4-3 aggregate win that put them in the final for the first time since 1997.

DORTMUND (Reuters) – Bundesliga minnows Freiburg are in contention for a Champions League spot but coach Christian Streich is already planning next season’s relegation battle as his players are lured away by bigger clubs.

With four games to play, Freiburg travel to newly-crowned champions Bayern Munich on Saturday knowing a point or more against the Champions League semi-finalists would keep them in contention for a qualification round spot for Europe’s elite club competition.

DORTMUND, April 25 (Reuters) – Bundesliga minnows Freiburg are in contention for a Champions League spot but coach Christian Streich is already planning next season’s relegation battle as his players are lured away by bigger clubs.

With four games to play, Freiburg travel to newly-crowned champions Bayern Munich on Saturday knowing a point or more against the Champions League semi-finalists would keep them in contention for a qualification round spot for Europe’s elite club competition.

DORTMUND, Germany (Reuters) – When Germany advanced to the 2010 World Cup semi-finals with four-goal wins over England and Argentina it became clear something special was brewing in German football.

Fast forward three years and two more four-goal thrashings for German sides this week showed the nation’s international comeback looks to have jumped on another stage.

DORTMUND, Germany, April 25 (Reuters) – When Germany advanced to the 2010 World Cup semi-finals with four-goal wins over England and Argentina it became clear something special was brewing in German football.

Fast forward three years and two more four-goal thrashings for German sides this week showed the nation’s international comeback looks to have jumped on another stage.

DORTMUND, Germany (Reuters) – Robert Lewandowski scored four goals to inspire Borussia Dortmund to a stunning 4-1 demolition of Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday.

Dortmund’s dazzling performance came a day after Bayern Munich crushed Barcelona 4-0 in the other semi-final first leg, raising the prospect of an all-German clash in next month’s final at Wembley.