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Schalke’s third runners-up finish in the Bundesliga this decade sets up Felix Magath’s side nicely for a strong challenge on domestic and European fronts with automatic qualification for the group stages of the UEFA Champions League.

They certainly won’t be short of Champions League experience in their ranks after the acquisition of Spanish veteran striker Raul from Real Madrid. Until recently, the 33-year-old had been the competition’s top scorer.

His first team opportunities with the self-styled Galacticos last season were limited to a series of late substitute appearances which served as a form of farewell tour. But his arrival in Gelsinkirchen has invigorated the club. And despite their German Super Cup loss to Bayern Munich prior to the 2010/11 season, hopes are high that coach Magath’s second season will be as least as successful as his first.

Partnering Raul up front will be Brazilian striker Edu, while defender Christoph Metzelder followed Raul out of the Bernabeu and Manuel Neuer remains between the posts after a successful World Cup, despite the inevitable links to other top clubs which that provided.

Schalke 04 was formed in 1904 by a couple of students looking for a better team to play sports for. The club underwent several name changes before finally settling on their present-day Schalke 04.

Schalke 04 was barred from competing for a period due to a wage cap which they exceeded. They were also involved in a major game-fixing scandal during the 1971 season when Schalke players were found guilty of intentionally losing a match to Arminia Bielefeld for payment. Long bans followed this disgrace. The club found itself in Bundesliga 2 but gradually recovered to become one of the strongest clubs in German football. Two German Cup victories are examples of Schalke’s progress since the 1970’s. Whilst they have not added to their seven championships since 1958, the fans remain optimistic that they are heading in the right direction.

Schalke’s Veltins Arena was built during the 1990’s and opened in 2001. With a sixty thousand capacity, it has become one of the best stadiums in the country.