Losing 3-0 to Aston Villa was certainly not how Freiburg's first-ever European final was supposed to end, but their presence in the final remains proof of something greater. The words of Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany describing the club's season still ring true.

"I think it [Freiburg's success] embodies everything that is positive about football," Kompany said recently. "It's a small club that's building itself up with its own resources. What Freiburg are doing is a great example for many other clubs."

Much has been written about the small club from Baden-Württemberg in recent years. A local club in its origin, Freiburg have evolved from a team yo-yoing between the divisions to an established Bundesliga side.

Despite a first-ever German Cup final in 2022 (one that ended in a dramatic defeat on penalties), a Europa League tie against Juventus the year after and a new stadium in 2021, Freiburg have never strayed from the core values of a local club. They are prudent with their business, growth always feels organic, they are environmentally friendly and ultimately, in an era of staggering financial power, remain that rarest of all things in football: a sensible club.

Youth development, money management, cultural vibes

Freiburg have an excellent record of developing young players. It is estimated that 60 or more players currently in the top three divisions were either developed by or have played for the club.

Then there's the financial restraint the club has shown in recent years. Beyond their approach in the transfer market — their record signing is Ritsu Doan in 2022, for a reported fee of just over €10 million ($11.6 million) — the management of the books is truly an example for others.

In 2025, Freiburg reported a profit of €11.8 million despite not playing in Europe, where prize money is higher. Also, unusually, Freiburg have no bank liabilities.

Noah, a 26-year-old fan who has had a season ticket for 20 years, believes this management is what helped steer the club through the COVID pandemic, a time when historically more powerful clubs like Schalke and Borussia Mönchengladbach struggled.

"I'd even go so far as to say that without the pandemic, this dramatic rise wouldn't have happened, because the other clubs would have been able to continue operating as usual," Noah told DW.

Beyond that, there is also the way the city and the club work together.

"There are cafes in Freiburg where you know players go," Noah said. "They don't live a closed-off life. You can see them walk through the city and you can say hello. I think this is why many players stay at the club for years instead of taking the next step, even if they could."

Matthias Ginter and Vincenzo Grifo are the two most obvious players who both left but returned. Both have played their best football in Freiburg. 

“The club knows me, and I know the club," is how Grifo summed it up to the Pforzheimer Kurier newspaper. "I feel like I never left."

Head coach connection also key to development

The club's success and recognition are also connected to their charismatic, emotional and outspoken head coach Christian Streich, who left in 2024 after 12 years in charge. Streich regularly spoke out about social issues in Germany and often reminded football of its place in the world. Now, the club quietly enjoying its 10th consecutive season in Germany's topflight has a chance to win a major European trophy and qualify for the biggest show in club football, the Champions League.

"With Christian Günther, who is now the club's all-time leader in appearances, with Vincenzo Grifo, who is our all-time leading scorer, and now with Nico Höfler, who has simply been the face of this club for years and who's going to play his last game for the club in an international final in Istanbul, it's emotional," said Noah, who described the season as "incredible."

And then there's the time head coaches are given. Current head coach Julian Schuster was not only a former assistant coach, as often is the case at the club, but is also just the fifth Freiburg head coach since 1991. In the same period, Hamburg have had 28 (excluding interim coaches). Schuster follows the suit of many others and has made a seamless transition to head coach.

"I remember him as a player, as our captain. I still remember him scoring a bicycle kick. Then, in 2022, he was there in the away end in Hamburg for the German Cup semifinals, singing along to the songs at the top of his lungs," said Noah, explaining why Schuster is such a natural fit.

Fairy-tale ending in sight?

This European run saw Freiburg finish seventh in the league phase, before seeing off Genk, Celta Vigo and Braga to make the final. But Premier League side Aston Villa proved a test too many as Freiburg were left without a chance. The English team's squad had the cutting edge that often comes with a squad market value of nearly €550 million — more than twice that of Freiburg's. 

For Noah and many other fans, the result was the least important part of the night. Reaching the final was a success in itself, and it gave all those supporters a chance to celebrate the journey they have been on with the club.

"The chance to share that with people I've been in the stands with since I was a little kid, with people who I've experienced all of this with, who I traveled to Sandhausen with, to Koblenz with, and who've been with me to all those away games, even in the second division, and who have simply been with this club for years… that's real, and it makes me really happy and emotional," said Noah.

Edited by: Matt Pearson

This article was updated after the final.