Bayern lie third in attendance table

Bayern finished the first half of the German top flight season at the top of the standings - but only third in the average attendance statistics, despite a continuing boom in Bundesliga spectator numbers. In nine home matches to date, the Munich giants have been watched by an average crowd of 51,888 compared to 60,500 in the same period last year. Many fans appear to be keeping cash and time in reserve ahead of the opening of the state-of-the-art Allianz Arena next term, where chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is predicting five years' worth of capacity 66,000 crowds. For now, Borussia Dortmund lie way out in front after the first 17 matchdays with an average home attendance of 77,062. Neighbours and Ruhr Valley rivals Schalke 04 came second on 61,177 while Bayern's 1970s arch-rivals Monchengladbach have leapt into fourth with average crowds up 20,000 to more than 50,000 thanks to their new Borussia Park arena. Overall, 5,689,506 paying customers passed through the turnstiles in the first half of the season, an impressive new record average of 37,186 per match.

'Holiday on Ice' for Rau
Munich left-back Tobias Rau was planning a quiet Christmas break with his family in Brunswick and his former home of Wolfsburg. But the 23 year-old found himself taking part in the fastest team sport in the world at the weekend, picking up an ice hockey stick for a good cause. Rau joined the "Wolfsburg All Stars" in a 7-7 draw with "Team Skoda" in a charity encounter.

FIFA orders breathing space for stars ahead of 2006
Football's world governing body FIFA has ordered an early end to 2005-6 domestic programmes ahead of the 2006 World Cup in Germany, beginning on 9 June 2005. Meeting in Zurich, the FIFA Executive Committee has mandated all national leagues to complete their fixtures by 14 May 2006. Exceptions have been made for the Champions League Final on 17 May and the English FA Cup Final on 20 May. FIFA President Sepp Blatter hailed the decision as "historic" in protecting internationals from burn-out.

Kahn pledges future to Bayern
Oliver Kahn says he intends to remain loyal to Bayern after hanging up his boots and has put herself forward for a management task at the club. "A job at Bayern is something I'd really like," the Germany keeper told a local paper. "Bayern has become a large part of my life and it's like a second family for me here. My heart belongs to this football club." The 35 year-old club skipper insisted he would take a complete break first, "just like Rummenigge and Beckenbauer did. It's all a question of picking the right moment."

Santa Kahn
The Bayern keeper spent part of his weekend playing Father Christmas, joining a sponsor-led event in Busan, South Korea. In partnership with Munich equipment supplier adidas, Kahn invited two kids from a Korean orphanage to the 2006 World Cup in Germany. The lucky youngsters will receive seats for a match featuring hosts Germany. Kahn also handed over 150 balls for the kids.

Club and partner hand over charity cheque
Bayern and banking partner HypoVereinsbank joined forces to help a worthy cause last week. Club chairmen Karl-Heinz Rummenigge presented KIO, a foundation supporting kids needing organ transplants, with a cheque for 10,000 Euro, announcing the club would continue strongly supporting the organisation in the future.

Guerrero pledges goals - against Magath's men
Peru shooting star Paolo Guerrero has clearly stated his allegiance should it actually come about that the Bayern first-team ends up meeting its reserve side in the DFB German Cup Final in Berlin. "If we came up against the pros in the final, I'd play for the reserves and score two goals. The first team won't be upset, they'll win the championship in any case," the youngster told Sport Bild magazine.