Football fun despite the zero number: 1. FC Union has moved into the group stage of the Conference League with a lavish red party in the Olympic Stadium.
22,159 fans of the iron made the playoff second leg of the Berlin Bundesliga club on Thursday evening against Kuopio PS into a football festival that has not been seen in the capital's arena for a long time.
After the 0-0 win against the Finnish Cup winners, there are now at least three more Union guest appearances in the home stadium of local rivals Hertha BSC, who are far away from the European Cup.
Thanks to the 4-0 win in the first leg, three days before the Bundesliga match against Borussia Mönchengladbach without the spared star striker Max Kruse, it was enough for the Eisern to play in test mode against a harmless opponent.
The surprise seventh of the previous Bundesliga season will find out at the UEFA draw in Istanbul on Friday whether the group stage will be against traditional continental clubs such as AS Roma or Feyenoord Rotterdam.
However, duels against no-name teams such as Lincoln Red Imps FC from Gibraltar or Alashkert Martuni from Armenia are also possible in the competition, which is viewed critically by many.
Despite all the party atmosphere, the move across the capital, forced by UEFA because of the insufficient seating capacity in its own stadium at the Alte Försterei, was criticized by the Union fans who were crowded in the main stand and back straight despite the corona distance rules, even during the game .
“We need the Alte Försterei like the air we have to live”, was emblazoned on a poster.
“A European Cup for everyone, but why do the small clubs always have to play away” and “Lots of standing room, few seats.
You call it a problem, we call it football, ”was the English translation on other banners.
Clear addressee: UEFA.
They should react to the pyro show performed by the fans at the beginning of the second half with a fine for the club.
The Finns' assault, feared by coach Urs Fischer, failed to appear on the lawn.
With the exception of Kruse, the best line-up from Berlin controlled the game and had the best chances of the early stages with headers from Taiwo Awoniyi (7th minute) and Robin Knoche (13th).
Awoniyi (44th) moved free in front of the Kuopio goal shortly before the break.
The torch fire in the stands didn't make the game any better.
Union controlled what was happening, but was too careless in the end.
Tymoteusz Puchacz (61st) shot over the goal from an acute angle.
Marvin Friedrich (67th) could not use a header for the lead.
Kevin Behrens (73rd) tried it artistically with an overhead kick.
The fans didn't care.
They celebrated the Union and its stadium at the Alte Försterei in choirs.