Football Europa League: 1. FC Union Berlin: The fisherman and his desire

Contrary to his nature, Urs Fischer allowed himself to be carried away to express a wish. Given the possible opponents of 1. FC Union Berlin in the round of 16 of the Europa League, he wanted to avoid a duel with Feyenoord Rotterdam and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. The reason given by the coach is a key factor in the astonishing success of the Köpenicker club. “Because we’ve already played against both teams,” Fischer said late Thursday evening, after a soccer festival in the old forester’s lodge. With 3: 1, the Berlin Ajax Amsterdam had shot out of the competition.

On Friday, manager Oliver Ruhnert had to use a phrase: “A draw is not a wish concert.” The opponent for the games on March 9th and 16th is Union Saint-Gilloise. Arsenal London, Betis Sevilla and Fenerbahce Istanbul were also in the draw in Nyon. All teams that are more athletic, but would have preferred to have been Union coaches. So Fischer’s wish was not determined by coolly calculated chances of success, but by another great shared experience – for his footballers, the club and the fans. The Swiss described it as follows on Thursday evening: “The madness continues.”

You could feel how special this experience was in the old forester’s house. The stadium shook in the final minutes of the game. »Eisern« – »Union«: The antiphon lashed from stand to stand as intensely and loudly as seldom before. The mood had already increased the drama of the game. The opening goal after 20 minutes from the penalty spot by defender Robin Knoche was followed by the second goal by Josip Juranovic before the break whistle. 2-0 against Ajax Amsterdam! A club with a reputable name and great success in European football, which is a regular in the Champions League and reached the semi-finals there four years ago. Positive bewilderment, pure joy!

And so it continues. Ajax’s quick goal two minutes after the restart was followed just three minutes later by defender Danilho Doekhi to make it 3-1. Every liberation was then cheered until victory. Fans and club were ready to celebrate even before kick-off. The nearly 22,000 spectators in the Alte Försterei were welcomed by stadium announcer Christian Arbeit for “one of the biggest games we’ve ever had.” The Ultras celebrated this evening with a minute-long choreography, accompanied by fireworks behind the grandstand on the forest side. A »dream that comes true« and a »living intoxicated« could be read in large letters. It would have been a new day of celebration in Köpenick if it hadn’t been enough against the strong Amsterdam team.

It was enough. Why? Urs Fischer could hardly find words for this. The word “madness” escaped his lips several times, and he found the win against Ajax “indescribable”. Union’s coach, on the other hand, was able to explain the opponent’s strengths well, “the playful class” that “caused a lot of problems” for his team. So the 2-0 at the break didn’t correspond to the course of the game. After a “better second half” and with “a lot of luck”, the European journey continues. On March 9th, the Belgians from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise are coming to the Alte Försterei, the team against which the Berliners suffered their last home defeat six months ago.

Against “one of the best teams in Europe”, according to goal scorer Doekhi, the Bundesliga continues on Sunday. The fact that Union footballers are playing the top game at table leaders FC Bayern Munich with the same number of points is also classified as madness in Köpenick.

Using an abnormal deviation as a description of one’s own success is entirely justified in the case of 1. FC Union. Of course, victories don’t come by themselves. And everyone responsible in the club knows exactly what they are doing. But just looking at the requirements shows how amazing the development is. According to the key financial figures of the German Football League, the Köpenickers are second to last in the Bundesliga in terms of personnel expenses. With 373 million euros, FC Bayern spends more than nine times as much on its squad as the people from Köpenick. Or Bayer Leverkusen: The Werksverein has more than three times the money available to the third-placed Berliners, but is 16 points and seven ranks behind Union. And the financial losses are always settled by the corporation.

“We are living our dream,” said goal scorer Juranovic on Thursday evening. It didn’t sound like a given language. The Croatian came to Berlin in the winter. It’s normal for new players to quickly integrate here, explained Fischer. This is only possible in a well-functioning community. The coach always praises them, in principle in the club, in the team in particular. And this is how sporting success can be explained: working with and for each other, disciplined and passionate.