The 1999-00 campaign was a landmark European season for Hertha Berlin as Die Alte Dame finished a respectable 6th in the Bundesliga, securing UEFA Cup qualification. Their biggest success was a historic run to the Second Group Stage of the UEFA Champions League. Leading the attack was talismanic striker Michael Preetz, whose 12 league goals anchored a side that excelled on the European stage. This memorable continental adventure, under manager Jürgen Röber, included a victory over Chelsea and a famous 1-0 win against AC Milan at a sold-out Olympic Stadium. It was a defining year that re-established the club in the European elite and remains a major chapter in their modern history.