When Bombs Meet Bundesliga: The Wild Tale of a Shrapnel‑Stressed Hans
Sergej Wenergold, a 29‑year‑old former electrician turned terror‑tactics designer, got a hefty 14‑year sentence after a riotous series of blasts aimed at the legendary Borussia Dortmund team bus in April 2017.
What Happened?
- On the night of April 11, 2017, Wenergold unfurled three explosions while the bus was racing to a Champions League quarter‑final in Munich.
- Each device contained about a kilo of hydrogen peroxide and over Sixty‑five cigarette‑size metal bolts – a nasty combo that launched shrapnel at everything in the bus.
- Three players were injured: Spanish defender Marc Bartra, a police officer, and an inevitable cluster of trembling fans.
“Why Bother?”
Wenergold’s motive turned out to be less about politics and more about money. He’d secretly bought put options on Dortmund’s stock worth roughly €26,000 (about $29,000), betting that the club’s slate would plunge after such chaos.
His bizarre attempt? Hoping to play the stock market like a roulette wheel and strike for half a million euros if the share price stubbornly dipped.
Trial Highlights
- Prosecutors nailed him on 28 counts of attempted murder.
- Two counts of causing serious injury followed the wreck.
- Defence lawyer Carl Heydenrich claimed Wenergold only wanted to stir panic, not to kill.
- Wenergold’s strategy: eye‑catching hotel lighting—thrice a window room, then a calm stroll into the hotel’s steak menu even after the blasts.
- In the courtroom, he quietly expressed remorse, “I would like to apologise to everybody.”
Teammates Speak
During the 11‑month trial, players—currently leaders of the Bundesliga—shared raw, heartfelt testimonies about the terror and lingering anxiety after the attacks. Coach Thomas Tuchel also criticized UEFA for leaving them no time to recover before facing Monaco.
Closing Thought
Wenergold’s 14‑year sentence may keep him out of the stadium, but the story remains a chilling reminder that football drama can spill beyond the pitch.
