This Team Has Never Been To The Champions League…Until Now?

SC Freiburg have solidified themselves as a Bundesliga regular ever since they first won promotion to the top flight back in the early 90s. They have had a couple of seasons away, however they have tended to bounce straight back. Despite their top flight residency, they have never qualified for the Champions League. That could all change this season.

SC Freiburg History

Like a lot of clubs in Germany, Freiburg has undergone many name changes, mergers and break-offs in their history. The club has its roots in a pair club founded in 1904 called Freiburger Fussballverein 04 and FC Schwalbe Freiburg. These underwent a series of name changes before merging in 1912 and adopting the Griffin head as seen on the badge today. Between 1918 and 1952, the club changed its name many times again, first becoming SC Freiburg in 1938 before organisations were banned by the allied occupying forces after World War Two.

⚪️🔴 Freiburg could qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the FIRST time in their history! 🤯✈️

Currently 4th with 1 game to go. This could be a historic season for them. 🇩🇪👏 pic.twitter.com/KG6gHskpMs

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) May 10, 2025

In 1952, the French forces in Germany allowed clubs to return to their old names prior to the Second World War, and Freiburg returned as SC Freiburg. In the 1978/79 season, they were promoted to the 2. Bundesliga for the first time, spending 15 years there before they were promoted to the Bundesliga in the 1993/94 season, with Volker Finke as their manager. He stayed at the club for a total of 16 years before leaving in 2007.

Do Freiburg Have European History?

Freiburg have played in European competitions before. Their debut occurred in the 1995/96 UEFA Cup season, however they were knocked out in the first round by Slavia Praha. Their second appearance in the competition seven years later was more successful, as they beat Matador Puchov and St Gallen before being defeated by Feyenoord in the third round.

They had to wait until 2013 before the club actually qualified for Europe again, this time in the revamped Europa League, where they only managed a single win in their six group games. Again the club had to wait a while before qualifying for the main competition again in 2022. This time they managed to qualify from their group, topping it without losing. Unfortunately they faced Juventus in the round of 16 and were knocked out. The following year they managed to get to the round of 16 again, but were heavily defeated by West Ham.

Presenting the first winner of our season awards... 🥁

Your 2023/24 Goal of the Season goes to @KudusMohammedGH for his sensational dribble and finish v SC Freiburg 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Q34Vl6SMbo

— West Ham United (@WestHam) May 11, 2024

In their history, the club has never qualified for the Champions League, however things could have been very different. On the final day of the 2012-13 season, they were in fifth place, but had the chance to go fourth if they were to beat fourth placed Schalke on the final day. Julian Draxler scored to help Schalke to a 2-1 win, destroying Freiburg’s hopes of finishing in a Champions League spot.

Will They Qualify This Season?

SC Freiburg could manage to get Champions League football this season, but it is a very tall task. This season started quite well for the club, however there were a few too many disappointing defeats for the fans to be optimistic about their European chances. St Pauli and Stuttgart were the key defeats that worried their fanbase, however for the most part, they put in strong performances that were reflected in their results.

It was the beginning of February when things started to change for Freiburg. They managed to avoid defeat against high flying Leipzig and Mainz and won their easier games against the likes of Bochum and Heidenheim. In fact, since the beginning of February, the club has lost just twice, once against Dortmund and once against Union Berlin. They are now a point above fifth placed Dortmund, and have their fate in their own hands.

Frankfurt facing Freiburg next week on the final matchday. That means Dortmund only need to beat relegated Kiel by at least 2 goals and they’re in the Champions League next season. I told you 👀 pic.twitter.com/PGExLtZ6tW

— 𝗙𝗜𝗔𝗚𝗢 (@fiago7) May 11, 2025

Their final league game of the season is against Eintracht Frankfurt, who are currently in third, just a point above them. If they win that game, they will qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history. However if they lose, Dortmund only have to beat Holstein Kiel to overtake them, and Kiel have already had their relegation confirmed. Dortmund are in the best position, because they have almost guaranteed qualification to the Champions League next season should they win their final game, because one of Frankfurt or Freiburg will slip out of the top four.