Майнц 05: About
- FSV Mainz 05 (full name: 1. Fußball- und Sport-Verein Mainz 05 e.V.) was founded on March 16, 1905 in Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The club first reached the Bundesliga (Germany's top tier) during the 2004-2007 period before returning in 2009, where they have remained since. Beyond football, the club also maintains handball and table tennis departments, showcasing its diverse sporting heritage.
Mainz's best Bundesliga finish came in the 2010-11 season when they placed 5th and qualified for the UEFA Europa League. They also participated in the 2005-06 UEFA Cup as Germany's Fair Play nominee. The club experienced a remarkable recovery in the 2023-24 season, climbing from 17th place with only two wins by matchday 25 to finishing 13th after remaining unbeaten in their final nine matches. Their youth development program is highly regarded, with the Under-19 team winning the German Championship in 2023.
Known by nicknames such as 'Die Nullfünfer' (the 05ers) and 'Karnevalsverein' (Carnival club), Mainz embraces its identity as one of Germany's three foremost carnival cities. This cultural connection is evident in the tradition of playing the 'Narrhallamarsch' (a carnival tune) after every home goal at their MEWA Arena. The club maintains strong community ties through various social activities and its charity organization 'Mainz 05 hilft e.V.' Local rivalries include those with Eintracht Frankfurt and Kaiserslautern.
Mainz currently competes in the Bundesliga under the management of Bo Henriksen and the presidency of Stefan Hofmann. Their home matches are played at the 33,305-capacity MEWA Arena. Key squad members include goalkeeper Robin Zentner, defenders Philipp Mwene and Danny da Costa (who recently extended his contract), midfielders Lee Jae-Sung and Dominik Kohr, and attackers Jonathan Burkardt (15 goals), Arnaud Nordin, and Nelson Weiper. The club's renowned youth academy represents a promising pipeline for future talent, as demonstrated by their U-19 team's recent national championship. The 2024-25 season has seen the team maintain a 49% possession rate with 79.8% successful passes.
