Neverkusen

Neverkusen and its German equivalent Vizekusen (second-kusen) are nicknames for German association football team Bayer 04 Leverkusen.[1][2]

Both apply to the runners-up image of the team, which led by Michael Ballack from 2000–2002 often found its way into finals but never to the top.[3]

Bayer, the company owning the team has issued a trademark on Vizekusen and others which the German Financial Times has claimed as proof of a Bayer marketing strategy to use the ironic elements.[4]

The expressions have had various echoes in the press. In case of Bayern Munich's 2012 three final losses in the Champions League, Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal the press used expressions like "Vizekusen-Syndrome", "Vizekusen 2.0.",[5][6] or Vizekusen-stigmata and a fear of having them stuck.[7]

Some concerns about a Vizekusen curse were raised before the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2012 as an important number of players in the national team came from Leverkusen or Bayern respectively.[8]

References
  1. Soccer and Philosophy: Beautiful Thoughts on the Beautiful Game Ted Richards Open Court Publishing, 08.06.2010
  2. Soccer Stories: Anecdotes, Oddities, Lore, and Amazing Feats Donn Risolo, University of Nebraska Press, 01.11.2010
  3. DFB-Wochenschau: Geburtsstunde von "Vizekusen" Birth of Vizekusen according to the DFB
  4. Markenrecht Bayer Leverkusen schützt "Vizekusen" Archived 2010-04-15 at the Wayback Machine FTD 12 April 2010.
  5. Die Welt vom 20.05.12: Alptraum dahoam - Vize-Bayern in Schockstarre, viewed 22 May 2012.
  6. Die Welt, 2012 Vizekusen 2.0, viewed 22 May 2012.
  7. Bayern München Sag mir, wo die Champions sind Cord Sauer, Stern 22 May 2012.
  8. Fußball – Zurück und nach vorne – Champions League und EM 2012, Der Wahlberliner, Das Netzmagazin von Alexander Platz
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