Klemens hartenbach

UEFA Champions League: Things have always been a little different at SC Freiburg. Far from the intense pressure that defines much of professional football, the club has grown steadily in a calm environment, rooted in youth development and community spirit.

Nestled in Germany's far southwest near the French and Swiss borders, Freiburg has evolved from a so-called "niche team" into a consistent presence in the Bundesliga.

Now, after years of quiet progression, the club stands on the verge of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in its history, reports Xinhua. With matches against Kiel and Frankfurt remaining, Freiburg find itself in the thick of the race alongside financially stronger clubs such as Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig.