Germany's Dortmund eyes European crown and Asian soccer fans

FRANKFURT -- Borussia Dortmund, a top German soccer club, will compete on Saturday for its first UEFA Champions League (CL) title in 27 years. Nearly bankrupt two decades ago, the publicly listed club now known for its financial health is hoping that the match against Spain's Real Madrid will help it develop its global brand and attract more fans in Asia.

"Above the qualification for the Champions League is the cream on the cake," Thomas Tress, Dortmund's chief financial officer, said in a recent interview with Nikkei. The more CL matches the team plays, the higher its TV income and brand value jump. Following its successful run in the CL, Dortmund raised its earnings forecast three times for the fiscal year ending June 2024.