The first supporters of Union Berlin have already made their way to Prague, the “city of a hundred towers” ​​should be firmly in iron hands by Thursday at the latest.

Around 3000 fans are expected in the best of spirits when the Berlin Bundesliga club plays its first group game in the newly created Conference League with the current Czech champions Slavia Prague (6.45 p.m. at Nitro). 

While the new competition means a double relegation for the opponent, it is a football festival for Union.

"The tingling has already started," said coach Urs Fischer: "We are happy, it's an adventure for us." The team started the 330 kilometers from Berlin-Köpenick to Prague on Wednesday morning by bus. 

Promotion for the third rate competition

Union had already proven in the play-off games against the Finnish cup winner Kuopion PS that the club would accept the Conference League.

The team fought on the pitch, the fans celebrated their international comeback after 20 years in the stands.

UEFA could not have wished for better advertising for the third-rate competition after the Champions League and Europa League.

For Union Berlin, who played in the 2nd division two and a half years ago, European Cup games are absolute highlights.

With that you create "something extraordinary again for the history books", said Captain Christopher Trimmel: "It's nice when you've seen the whole story."

At Slavia Prague, the enthusiasm is limited.

The current Czech champions and cup winners actually wanted to go to the Champions League, but failed in qualifying at Ferencvaros Budapest.

When the club then lost out to Legia Warsaw in the Europa League play-offs, the group stage in the Conference League was little consolation. 

“I am amazed that they don't play the Champions League,” said Fischer about the qualities of the opening opponent, “it will be a great task for us”.

The Berliners want to survive in Prague with heart and passion.

"We didn't get into the group stage to travel around nicely," emphasized Trimmel.

The two other group opponents Feyenoord Rotterdam and Maccabi Haifa also promise nice away trips for the team and fans.

There are of course bonuses in the Conference League, even if they are a bit narrower.

The entry into the group stage brought Union already 2.94 million euros, each victory brings in an additional half a million.

But money is not the biggest incentive for Union, the image gain is more important.

And UEFA also benefits from this.