VfL Bochum, a football club in the Bundesliga, is portrayed as a unique entity that maintains its independence and local identity, contrasting with the commercialized aspects of modern football. With the lowest personnel costs in the league, Bochum has a history of challenging larger clubs, especially at home. The club's managing director, Ilja Kaenzig, emphasizes the importance of maintaining the club's ethos and the potential for increased national TV revenue if they avoid relegation. The club is also seeking a financial partner that aligns with its strategy, rather than a traditional investor. The article highlights the club's connection with its fans and the local beer, Fiege-Bier, and discusses the implications of the upcoming matches for Bochum's future in the Bundesliga.

Genf/Servette dominated EHC Biel with a 7:1 victory on Saturday evening, with foreign players contributing three goals and six scorer points. Servette's foreign players have produced 16 scorer points in five playoff final matches, compared to Biel's eight. Servette, known for having the best and most expensive foreign players, could be rewarded with their first club championship title on Tuesday in Biel. The increase in foreign player quotas from four to six has made the National League better and more balanced. Servette's strategy of investing in high-caliber foreign talent, despite being less attractive to Swiss top players, may pay off with a championship win, reflecting a now-or-never mentality throughout the season.

FC Zürich has experienced a significant improvement in their performance, with an average of 1.53 points per game under Danish coach Bo Henriksen, compared to 0.25 points under his predecessor, German Franco Foda, who was dismissed in September. Despite a lackluster record of one win in the last six games, including a somewhat fortunate 2-1 victory against FC Luzern nearly a month ago, FC Zürich has managed to close the gap to just six points behind FC Luzern.

It has been over 100 years since a Swiss player, Otto Hess, played baseball at the highest level in the USA. Hess, a pitcher for the Cleveland Bronchos and the Boston Braves, also fought in World War I and the Spanish-American War in the Philippines. His remarkable baseball career ended in 1915, and he passed away from tuberculosis in 1926, which he contracted during the war in France.

In the United States, the stark contrast between wealth and poverty is evident in Manhattan, where the Madison Square Garden, a renowned sports and entertainment arena, is located. The article discusses the lavish spending on sports facilities and players' salaries in the NHL, juxtaposed with the visible homelessness outside the venues. It highlights the differences in social support systems between the US and Europe, and the culture of affluence that pervades American professional sports. The piece also touches on the experiences of Swiss NHL players like Rick Nash, Damien Brunner, and others, and the disparity between the lives of professional athletes and those struggling on the streets.