Wolves mark out new territory

VfL Wolfsburg are one of eight clubs making their debuts in the UEFA Champions League group stage this season and as part of a series of features on the new boys, uefa.com runs the rule over the German champions.

Who are they?
Formed: 1945
Nickname: Die Wölfe (The Wolves)
League titles: 1
German Cups: 0

Wolfsburg's progress to the top table of European football may have been steady, but it is the appointment of coach Felix Magath in 2007 that coincided with the speed of their ascent being cranked up a notch. Magath's arrival came on the back of two seasons flirting with relegation, but just two years later the former West German international had guided the club to a maiden title triumph and a subsequent place among Europe's élite. Prior to this hasty rise to success, Wolfsburg had been in the Bundesliga for just 12 years following a period in the doldrums of the third tier of German football. Such wilderness years are now a thing of the past thanks to Magath's shrewd wheeling and dealing, although the man credited with the club's success has since moved on to take over at FC Schalke 04 so it is over to successor Armin Veh.

One to watch
Edin Džeko, 23, striker
Allegedly coveted by a host of stellar clubs from across Europe during the transfer window, Džeko has resisted any such overtures to extend his contract with Wolfsburg until the summer of 2013. Interest from abroad arrived on the back of a prolific campaign for the Bosnian striker last term, in which he scored 26 league goals in 32 matches – second in the Bundesliga only to his team-mate Grafite. Džeko arrived in Germany from Czech outfit FK Teplice in 2007.

Memorable match
VfL Wolfsburg 5-4 1. FSV Mainz 05, 2. Bundesliga, 11 June 1997
While last season's 5-1 thrashing of FC Bayern München immediately jumps off the page, it is the remarkable promotion-winning game against Mainz that set the wheels in motion for the club's subsequent rise. Having fallen behind, two goals from Wolfsburg legend Roy Präger paved the way to victory.

Greatest player
Roy Präger
Current strikers Grafite and Džeko might be technically superior to Präger, but the former East German attacker has etched his name into Wolfsburg folklore. His never-say-die attitude, leadership qualities and 13 goals in Wolfsburg's first Bundesliga season were integral to the team avoiding relegation and setting them on the road to bigger and better things.

Did you know?
Wolfsburg have remained in the Bundesliga since their promotion in 1997, making them one of only five Bundesliga teams never to have been relegated along with FC Bayern München, Hamburger SV, Bayer 04 Leverkusen and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.