When I have visited Berlin for the first time, in 2017, in my three weeks spent there in September I have set some goals and many of them were related to football matches I wanted to attend. Hertha Berlin was the most known team back then, but I have learned that Union, from the East side of the city, is more loved by the locals. Therefore, took some tickets – they were not cheap, around 24 EUR in the second division – and I have experienced their pure joy of playing football and beating former German surprising champion from 1997 – two decades before! – 1. FC Kaiserslautern. And it was no ordinary victory, but 5-1, with 4-0 down at half break. Union Berlin was on the rise, but yet, they have never played in the Bundesliga. Their heritage, in spite of the fabulous support from their fans, was relatively slim.
Urs Fischer, the missing link at Union Berlin
Back then, I have met with a pal from Berlin, Joerg, that loves ground hopping – seeing football matches from all leagues, all around the world – and went for the Tennis Borussia Berlin game, the team he supported, an after for a beer in the fifth division – back then – club’s pub. “They have never been to the first league, but they will promote, they have a very good team!” It was his forecast about Union Berlin in that September 2017. At the end of the season, Union did not promote, but that was the moment when Urs Fischer arrived at the club. One more season and the promotion was finally won. From that point on, everything changed. As a coincidence, I was back in Berlin, for the city marathon in that same year, 2019.
Impossible to get a ticket for a Bundesliga match
For sure I would like to experience a Bundesliga game also on Stadium An der Alten Försterei, and it made sense as it was against Eintracht Frankfurt in that specific weekend – if I remember well – but the chance to enter were non-existing. I have tried even at the fan shop from “Koepenick”, no chance: “We have more than 30.000 subscribers, but the stadium has only 22.000 seats. We cannot offer tickets to all of them, let alone to sell separate”, the guys told me. I have understood – as I would have any choice! :))) – and walked away. Union Berlin finished that season on 7th position and qualified for Europe Conference League, then 5th place and went to UEFA Europe League and, one more season after, 4th place and, finally: Champions League!
Union Berlin brings in first ever woman coach in Bundesliga
Basically, from 2017 – to mention the year when I have first made contact with Alte Försterei – and until 2023, there was a continuous ascent of this club. On 14th of November 2023, though, after 14 consecutive matches without a win, in all competitions, from which 13 losses (!!!) Urs Fischer departed ways with the club and whilst Marko Grote took in charge as an interim, Marie-Louise Eta took the position of assistant manager. First ever lady to have a coaching position in the history of Bundesliga! Now, Union Berlin is closer to relegation, but normally they should regain some shape. They might not qualify for Europe in 2024, but for sure they have everything to stay in Bundesliga. Including some wonderful fans. Now, there are more than 42.000 subscribers. Wow!
Photo source: fc-union-berlin.de