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Haris Tabaković after his goal to make it 1-0

Photo: Andreas Gora/dpa

Hertha BSC played 2:2 (2:1) against Fortuna Düsseldorf in the first game after the sudden death of club president Kay Bernstein.

On the 18th matchday of the 2nd Bundesliga, Haris Tabaković (30th minute) and Derry Scherhant (45th + 1) scored for the Berliners, Ísak Jóhannesson and Christos Tzolis equalized twice (44th/50th).

The game, as Hertha had announced, took place “under a sign of mourning and remembrance”.

Before the game, around 7,000 fans said goodbye to Hertha President Bernstein, who died last week at the age of 43, with a funeral march to the Olympic Stadium.

The club had set up memorials around the Olympic Stadium, books of condolence were available, and fans placed hundreds of candles in front of the east gate.

On Bernstein's seat in the honorary box lay a blue and white Hertha training jacket, which became his trademark, as well as flowers and a megaphone.

A minute's silence was held before kick-off, after which Hertha coach Pál Dárdai fought back tears.

In the east curve, where Bernstein once stood as a cantor, a banner read: "We water your tree with our tears - you will live forever in our hearts."

“It will be a difficult day,” Dárdai said on Sky immediately before the game.

Both teams failed to find any rhythm at the start.

In the 30th minute, the Berlin supporters, who had previously remained largely calm, were allowed to cheer.

Hertha countered, Tabaković grabbed the ball and smashed it into the far corner.

He then held up a black T-shirt with the inscription “We Herthaners in deep mourning.”

Two penalties for Fortuna

Shortly before the break, the guests from Düsseldorf equalized through Jóhannesson.

The Icelander curled the ball into the right corner from 17 meters (44').

Hertha responded immediately: Scherhant intercepted a shot from Fortuna keeper Florian Kastenmeier, moved inside and scored with a well-placed shot (45th + 1).

After the restart, Hertha defender Marc-Oliver Kempf fouled his opponent in the penalty area.

Tzolis kept his nerve when the penalty was due (50th).

Just minutes later, Kempf again brought down Jona Niemiec in the penalty area, this time Tzolis missed the goal (56').

mlb/sid/dpa