First Max Kruse got the prick against Corona in Köpenick, then it went to Monaco in a private jet and by helicopter.

The sensational qualification for the Conference League with 1. FC Union Berlin was followed by a short trip to his “first Formula 1 race” in the urban canyons of Monte Carlo for the newly vaccinated European guarantor of the Iron.

The football bon vivant had already received the complete party license from the "eight-armed" goalkeeper Andreas Luthe.

Kruse was already there on Saturday evening in front of about 2000 fans on the iron party balcony at the stadium at the Alte Försterei and was also happy about participating in the Conference League, which he actually did not like.

"Union international" was Kruse's first comment on the obligatory celebration photo on Instagram before a long Köpenick night, which was to end on Sunday with a last team breakfast before the summer vacation.

On Sunday, the recordings followed directly from the luxury plane in the direction of the Côte d'Azur.

Great season under the radar

There was enough reason to celebrate: seventh place well ahead of local rivals Hertha BSC, 16 home games unbeaten in a row, fewer goals conceded than FC Bayern, fewer defeats than Borussia Dortmund, are just some of the astonishing key figures of a splendid season.

Club President Dirk Zingler particularly emphasized that they had not lost a game at home against the top six in the league.

"It is world class that we are rewarding ourselves for an outstanding season," said Kruse.

The symbolic figure for the fabulous journey to the football continent was the 33-year-old himself - crowned by his winning goal to 2-1 in stoppage time against RB Leipzig, which made the first iron European Cup qualification possible since 2001.

Extravagant Kruse delivers in Berlin

Union and Kruse, Kruse and Union.

It seemed a daring experiment in both directions, if not an impossibility.

There is the image-laden club of principles from East Berlin, there free spirit and sloppy genius with a penchant for clear expression in the social media bubble.

But it worked.

That Kruse was partying on the side, like now in Monaco, or moaning about speed traps in city traffic or about unfriendly luxury car dealers?

For free.

Kruse got the long Berlin leash and delivered.

Eleven goals and five assists became the top scorer and tireless driver in winter despite initial fitness problems and a long break from injury.

“He's the craziest guy I've ever met in professional football.

But he saved our asses again today, ”said Luthe.

"I really give him everything he does around it," said the goalkeeper, to whom coach Urs Fischer certified that he had "eight arms in the game" against Leipzig.

And Fischer, who felt like he was in a Hollywood flick, wanted his match winner Kruse to “smear it” that the Conference League was a reality.

Kruse recently felt “no bother” at the newly created third European Cup.

He once played in the Champions League with VfL Wolfsburg, and in the Europa League with Borussia Mönchengladbach.

“I stick to my opinion.

But I'll always do everything I can to win games, ”he said about the third-rate cup.

Is the Alte Försterei suitable for Europe?

In his factual manner, Fischer Kruse will perhaps explain the competition again, about which many half-truths haunt the world of football.

By no means, as is often claimed, will the iron's preparation for the season be disrupted.

The play-off round, which is mandatory for everyone, will not take place until August 19 and 26, after the Bundesliga season has started in mid-August.

Kruse will also have time for a sufficient vacation.

How Union deals with the load every Thursday-Sunday is an exciting question. It is also still unclear how many spectators will be allowed to attend home games. UEFA only allows seats. Then, regardless of Corona, it would not be much more than the 2000 on Saturday against Leipzig. Zingler announced that he wanted to fight for the home venue Alte Försterei, but did not rule out an unpopular move to the Olympic Stadium.