Axar Patel celebrates after the T20 World Cup win© AFP

There is not much Alexandra Popp hasn’t achieved in her career. Three Champions League titles, one Olympic gold medal, seven Bundesliga titles, 13 German Cup titles and an incredible 145 caps for Germany makes for quite the resume.

Now though, the 34-year-old will join the club her “heart beats for” after agreeing to leave Wolfsburg for Borussia Dortmund in the summer on a three-year deal. Popp grew up in the region, but for one of Germany’s most decorated footballers, this is more than a homecoming. Popp is once again playing her part in developing the game in Germany, moving to a lower-league club that didn’t even exist five years ago.

Borussia Dortmund’s women’s team first played a match in 2021, 13 years after Popp became a professional. It was a long-term project, and rather than injecting lots of money to quickly jump into the Bundesliga, the club have made the slow climb from the lower leagues. They are currently in the third division, and are aiming to be in the Bundesliga in the next two years.

Managing Director Svenja Schlenker called Popp’s signing a clear statement of the club’s ambitions. It’s apparent Dortmund’s women are ready to take the next step.

“Alexandra Popp has become one of the defining figures of modern German women’s football. She represents more than sporting performance. She brings credibility, leadership and visibility. For a project like Dortmund’s, a figure like Popp also signals to the wider football market that the project has serious ambitions,” Dominik Schreyer, a Professor of Sports Economics at Germany’s Otto Beisheim School of Management, told DW.

“She is also likely to draw fans to the stands because, whether it is men’s or women’s football, people want to see familiar faces. In sports economics it is widely accepted that star players increase demand and media interest. And there is certainly no debate that Popp is one of the few true stars in the German market,” Schreyer added, noting that a strong Dortmund would be a boost to league attendance and media interest.

The current women’s Bundesliga average attendance is unclear, but a 2024 attendance review on search by sports marketing company “Two Circles” revealed that the women’s Bundesliga had an average of 2,894 fans per game in 2024. A further report at the end of the season showed that while growth had slowed compared to previous years, growth was more spread out rather than concentrated on one or two clubs and attendances were more consistently between 1,000 and 5,000. Borussia Dortmund’s women pulled in 10,000 fans for a game against rivals Schalke in 2025, and with 230,000 club members there is real reason to believe many supporters of the men’s side will also cheer for the women’s team despite more established local sides.

Support from men’s clubs the only way forward?

Popp’s move does however also ask further questions about how football clubs not connected to men’s clubs can survive. SGS Essen are struggling at the bottom of the league and Turbine Potsdam, a two-time Champions League winner, have fallen into the depths of the second division. In their place, RB Leipzig and Union Berlin are looking to establish themselves in the Bundesliga. While the dispute with the German FA (DFB)  about structure rumbles on, the picture being painted is becoming clearer. Popp’s move to Dortmund simply serves as a further reminder of the game’s direction of travel.

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“The idea that clubs backed by large men’s organizations have structural advantages is well established, but it is not something that can be verified as clearly as a transfer,” Schreyer said.

“Integration alone does not guarantee success. Real progress still requires deliberate effort to actually realize synergies between the men’s and women’s sides. That said, for clubs without that backing the pressure will grow. They will need clear strategies, for example strong youth development, smart recruitment or a distinctive club identity. In some cases, external investment might also play a role in helping clubs remain competitive.”

Just two years ago, Schreyer was part of a trio of researchers and experts who published a paper called “Football but better? Professional women’s football in Germany by 2031.” In that paper, the most likely of the projections was “integrated football clubs crowding out all independent women’s clubs in Germany.”

Slow rise aided by structural support

Popp’s signing is one part of Dortmund’s ambitions. Not long before, Ralf Kellermann, the man often credited with the rise of Wolfsburg’s women’s team, also agreed to join Dortmund. Kellermann joined Wolfsburg first a coach in 2008, before later becoming sporting director. In both roles he helped the club win 20 titles, including the famous 2013 treble when Kellermann the coach helped Wolfsburg to win it all.

His signing is another clear sign of Dortmund’s ambitions, but also recognition that it takes more than money and one star signing to make it all work.

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“If investment is sustained, progress can come quickly,” Schreyer said of the timeline behind Dortmund reaching a level to challenge Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg. “But building a top women’s football program is not just about money. It is about recruitment networks, sporting structures and organizational know-how. Clubs often underestimate how long that takes.”

At this point, both Alexandra Popp and Borussia Dortmund don’t look like they have underestimated anything. That’s exciting news for a domestic scene desperate to compete in Europe and for a national side aiming to win a home European Championship in three years.

Edited by: Matt Pearson

Remo Stars and Kano Pillars strengthened their chances of staying in the Nigeria Premier Football League with important victories on matchday 31, easing pressure at the lower end of the table.

In Ikenne, Remo Stars rallied from behind to beat Kwara United 3-1 in a thrilling contest between two teams unexpectedly fighting relegation.

Kwara United took the lead in the 34th minute when Ibrahim Yahaya converted Junior Aimufua’s cross. The home side responded quickly, with Ahmed Akinyele equalising just four minutes later. Kwara had a chance to regain the lead before half-time, but Ini Emmanuel Okon missed a penalty in added time, keeping the scores level at the break.

Remo Stars took control after the interval, scoring twice in quick succession. Haruna Hadi struck in the 70th minute, and Victor Mbaoma added a third three minutes later to secure the comeback. The win lifted Remo Stars from 19th to 18th with 36 points, while Kwara United fell to the bottom with 33 points.

In Kano, Pillars claimed a 2-0 win over Enyimba, moving further away from the relegation zone. Chiedozie Okorie opened the scoring in the 11th minute, and former Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa doubled the lead just before half-time. The victory moved Pillars up to 14th with 39 points, while Enyimba dropped to 16th, level on points with Wikki Tourist, who occupy 17th place.

Rangers extended their unbeaten run to eight matches with a 2-0 win over El-Kanemi Warriors. Daniel Itodo gave Rangers the lead in the 30th minute, and Godwin Obaje sealed the victory with a second goal in the 80th minute, temporarily moving them to the top of the table ahead of Rivers United’s match at Nasarawa United.

Elsewhere, Katsina United edged Shooting Stars 1-0, while Plateau United also won 1-0 against Bayelsa United thanks to Farouk Umar’s strike in the 50th minute. Warri Wolves and Bendel Insurance played a goalless draw in a tightly contested match.

In Owerri, Ikorodu City were held to a 2-2 draw by Kun Khalifat after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser. Joseph Arumala cancelled the hosts’ opener before Folarin Temitope put Ikorodu City ahead in the 53rd minute. Kun Khalifat were reduced to 10 men after Olanrewaju Molade was sent off, but Uchechukwu Onuoha scored deep into added time to secure a point. The draw kept Ikorodu City in contention for continental qualification while giving Kun Khalifat a valuable boost in their survival fight.

Matchday 31 concludes today with Niger Tornadoes facing Abia Warriors at Enyimba Stadium, and Rivers United traveling to Lafia City Stadium to face Nasarawa United as they aim to regain early-season form.

Crimson Desert is packed with hidden environmental puzzles that often yield valuable rewards. Two such puzzles can be found in the Mudridge Cabin, located in the swamps near the Unicorn Cliffs in the Pororin Forest region. There are two distinct picture-based puzzles in this cabin; one unlocks a strongbox, and the other opens up the cabin’s interior.

In this guide, we will break down how you can complete both picture puzzles in the Mudridge Cabin.

Crimson Desert: How to find the Mudridge Cabin

The Mudridge Cabin is located in the swampy region to the southeast of the Unicorn Cliffs, near Hernand.

The area will be guarded by a few bandits, whom you can easily dispatch using ranged weapons. Make sure to clear it out before exploring. There’s a strongbox on the upper floors, so use the nearby pillars to climb up.

Also read: How to beat the Marni’s Excavatron boss in Crimson Desert

Strongbox painting puzzle solution

The strongbox attached to the wall is locked behind a sliding tile puzzle. The goal is to rearrange these files to form the picture. The puzzle is fairly straightforward, and here are the steps to follow to solve it:

1) Slide the center-right tile down

2) Slide the center tile right

3) Slide the bottom-center tile up

4) Slide the bottom-left tile right

5) Slide the center-left tile down

6) Slide the center tile left

7) Slide the bottom-center tile up

The strongbox will unlock upon solving the puzzle. Inside, you will find the Flower Petal Earring, which also acts like a music box. If you have acquired a mask, equip it before looting.

Also read: How to mine ore in Crimson Desert (pickaxe location)

Cabin door puzzle solution

Once you are done with the strongbox, climb down the building to reach the bottom floor and find the locked cabin door. The cabin door is also locked behind a sliding picture puzzle, depicting a car surrounded by foliage. This one is a bit complex and can trip you up.

Here are the steps you can follow to complete the puzzle easily:

1) Slide the center-right tile down

2) Slide the center tile right

3) Slide the bottom-center tile up

4) Slide the bottom-right tile left

5) Slide the center-right tile down

6) Slide the center tile right

7) Slide the center-left tile right

8) Slide the bottom-left tile up

9) Slide the bottom-center tile left

10) Slide the center tile down

11) Slide the center-right tile left

12) Slide the bottom-right tile up

The cabin door will open once you solve the puzzle. Inside, you can acquire an Alchemy Recipe for Meliara’s Lesser Elixir, which offers healing benefits; other than that, there is not much to loot inside the cabin.

Also read: Crimson Desert fishing guide: Mechanics, progression, tips, and tricks

The recipe reward is enough for you to make a trip to the Mudridge Cabin early in the Crimson Desert, as it comes in handy against bosses later on. The puzzles can be tricky, but if you know how to solve them, then this is a quick upgrade in the game.

Check out our other Crimson Desert features and guides: