A key player in the midfield, Oliver Fink helped Fortuna Düsseldorf win promotion to the Bundesliga in the 2011/2012 season. Following relegation, he captained the club back to the top flight in the 2017/2018 season. Shortly before his 40th birthday in 2022, the native of Oberpfalz played his last professional match. Today, the father of two boys is committed to Fortuna's youth work and strategic development.

Has achieved a lot with and for Fortuna Düsseldorf: Oliver Fink.

What sets Düsseldorf apart?
The Rhine, which flows through the centre of the city, creates a very special atmosphere. Even though Düsseldorf has over 600,000 inhabitants, you can get from A to B in a relatively short time. The people are also very special with their hospitality and warmth - I have made many friends here.

Düsseldorf in three words
Liveable. Diverse. Sporty.

Here in Düsseldorf I find inspiration
In cultural venues like the Tonhalle and its surroundings. And the sports centres, which are also part of the culture for me. When I go to a football or ice hockey match at the DEG, I find that I get new ideas.

Here in Düsseldorf I get in a good mood
Family and friends are very important to me. When I'm at home and the children are in the garden somewhere, it's nice to watch them play for a while. And when I want to go out, I look for water. I like to sit on a sandbank on the Rhine, enjoy the sunset and cast out my fishing rod.

Where and what kind of sport do you do recreationally in the city?
No football whatsoever, I'm astonished myself. At the moment I'm mainly into running and cycling. I've also discovered padel tennis. Apart from that, my children are my gym, because I like to carry them around. I recently started skiing again after a long time, and I could well imagine trying a martial art.

Düsseldorf is a city of sport, because...
... you will find an exceptionally wide range of sports, whether as an active participant or a spectator. I think it's extremely important that young people in particular can try out different sports, not just football, because sport creates identity - and that's very possible here. Düsseldorf regularly hosts major sporting events. These include the ISTAF INDOOR athletics event, the recent European Handball Championships, the upcoming European Football Championships and next year's Universiade. The smaller events that take place on the Burgplatz, such as the beach volleyball tournaments, are also cool. And of course, you can always go to Fortuna and watch some good football. •

Interview: Tom Corrinth
Pictures: Christof Wolff

Why Düsseldorf?