19 Apr, 2025

Crazy first half and Klassenerhalt!

Report by Kristian Eikre

I was very happy when the date for the match against Stuttgart was set, and it fit perfectly with a long-planned trip with the family to Berlin. In addition, it was a "Topspiel" and the 18:30 match. The conditions were perfect for a brilliant evening at Alte Försterei.

Around 15:30, my eldest daughter, my son, and I were on the S-Bahn, heading towards Köpenick. The excitement had started to build already at breakfast and the nervousness only increased as we got closer to kickoff. Arriving in Köpenick, we were ready for "the usual route," first Hauptmann, then Abseitsfalle, and finally the stadium.

At Hauptmann, we met Andras and his son, the first beer was consumed, and I felt the atmosphere rising inversely proportional to the distance to Sector 3 at AF. Meanwhile, the goals began to tick in from the matches that started at 15:30. It looked promising as the 16th place (Heidenheim) was trailing by three goals against Bayer Munich early in the match. We could secure the league position even with a draw.

At Abseitsfalle, we met Michi with friends. Hugs and smiles were exchanged, what a fantastic "family" we are. Shortly after, Nadja, Hannes, Johannes, and Espen also arrived. Bamsegjengen was nearing full strength. My 14-year-old daughter surprisingly asked how I knew all these people. But after almost 15 years at Alte Försterei, where the visits have become more frequent over the years, there are many of you I meet on match day whom I consider good and close friends. It's much of this that makes Union, Union, and not just any team.

Then onwards to Alte Försterei. We wanted to arrive early at the stadium to get good stands and witness the entire build-up to the match. Quite soon, Josh also appeared. The flight had been delayed from England, but he made it.

You have probably read a lot about the actual match in various media. And what first half of the match!!! When the halftime whistle blew, the scoreboard showed 4-4, and apparently, more goals haven't been scored in the Bundesliga since 1963. I could probably written many pages about this, but the impressions were so many, and came so frequently, that I am still struggling to digest it, a week later. In short, we led 2-0 shortly after the start, with Illic and Diogo Leite respectively. Then Stuttgart scored 2 goals and we were back to level. Then Querfeld scored what might be the Union goal of the year, a cannonball of a long shot from almost 40 meters, straight into the top corner! Then we let Stuttgart score two goals and they took the lead. But in the first half overtime, Illic scored his second goal for the day, and the teams went into halftime tied, both with four goals conceded. I have NEVER experienced a wilder first half at Alte Försterei. And with four goals, I have never experienced so little "bierdusche" at AF. But that's not surprising, almost no one had time to fill their glasses between each goal.

The second half was also nice to watch, but both teams had probably been told during the break to tighten up defensively, so there were no more goals. 4-4, as you know, gives one point and the place in the Bundesliga was secured for yet another year. KLASSENERHALT! Still four matches left, but I am already looking forward to next season.

Wir singen rot,

Wir singen weiß,

Wir singen rot weiß FCU,

Wir singen rot weiß FC Union,

Wir singen rot weiß FCU!!!

EISERN!