34th matchday
Celebrate instead of chatting: Union in the premier class
Upcoming season in the premier class: Union players cheer after the end of the game. photo
© Soeren Stache/dpa
The fairytale rise of 1. FC Union Berlin continues. In the next season, the Köpenickers will play in the premier class. Still a bit incredulous, but exuberantly celebrate the Berliners.
The Köpenick fans jumped in the pyro-fog, a completely hoarse lead singer agreed “FC Union international” and on the balcony in front of the grandstand, managing director Oliver Ruhnert got a beer shower from striker Kevin Behrens.
“We can do the Champions League together, right?” the manager asked, got loud approval and then sang along with a song. Coach Urs Fischer gave a motto that was typical for him: “On days like this you shouldn’t talk too much, you should celebrate.”
End of a sensational season
Because May 27 was a holiday again in the eastern part of the capital. Exactly four years after being promoted to the Bundesliga, 1. FC Union Berlin is in the premier class after beating Werder Bremen 1-0 (0-0). At the end of a sensational season.
For the third time in a row, Union qualifies for international business. In the first half of the season, the Köpenicker even led the table for several weeks. Only after two matchdays was the team not on a Champions League spot. Union have not lost in the league for 23 games in the Alte Försterei. A club that plays in one of the loudest but also the smallest stadiums in the league and is far from the top in terms of budget.
For months, the Irons had waved off when it came to the chances of reaching the Champions League. “We think from game to game” and the 40-point mark could not be missing in any answer. “The fun turned serious at some point,” said Rani Khedira, who scored the day’s goal in the 81st minute. “It was an emotional explosion at that moment,” he said.
22 flanks, 15 corners
Union seized the opportunity with a usual energetic performance. The team hit 22 crosses and played 15 corners. But the goal was a long time coming. “Then football actually writes such stories that you somehow concede a stupid goal and then you really chase after it,” said Khedira.
SC Freiburg, the last remaining competitor for the open Champions League place, led to this in Frankfurt in the meantime. Khedira’s flick into the right corner was good for the nerves. But Fischer also praised: “But what I have to say and what I’m really proud of is how calm the team has remained.” The result of the competition was not an issue at halftime. “The aim was to play exactly the same in the second half.” Union had to push without leaving too many gaps.
Bremen were already sure of staying up and mainly defended. But persistent. Ole Werner was annoyed that his team couldn’t reward themselves for a performance at eye level, but also said: “Team, club, fans, staff, everyone can be proud of what we have achieved. To keep the class as a promoted team , without really having to tremble.” In addition, attacker Niclas Füllkrug won the top scorer’s crown.
“So ne shit, Champions League”
In the end, however, there was the Berlin reward from Khedira on Saturday. Fischer didn’t think about his own cheering gestures. “I don’t know what I did. I don’t practice at home either. But I assume I made my fist because I was so happy to finally score that goal,” said the 57 -year-olds.
“What a shit, Champions League,” the Union fans sang ironically. The famous anthem of the premier class came out of the speakers in the stadium. He doesn’t have words for that yet, said Fischer. “I think I’ll have to let that sink in a bit.” And chatting less and partying more was on the program anyway.
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