Union Berlin’s Stasi revenge

Stymied by the Stasi, hammered by Hertha – but finally, they’re Berlin’s top dogs

Nothing comes easy to Union Berlin – even in their best ever season, the international headlines have been going to one of their city rivals instead.

There were articles aplenty when Tasmania Berlin – now in the amateur leagues – came close to losing their record for the longest winless run in Bundesliga history, as Schalke almost matched their 31- match sequence from 1965- 66. Less noticed by the world’s media, Union have been eyeing a European place this season, having been in the fourth tier as recently as 2006.

The club has traditionally been seen as the cult team of the working class, rather than a powerhouse – falling under Soviet rule in east Berlin, they won the East German Cup in 1968, but had little joy in the league. Fans became vocal critics of the GDR’S political system when supremacy went to Dynamo Berlin, the team of the Stasi, who won 10 titles in a row amid allegations of favourable refereeing decisions.

Union joined Germany’s third tier after reunification, and surprisingly reached the German Cup final in 2001, but the cash- strapped club soon plunged into the fourth division. To raise funds, fans donated blood to local hospitals, sending the money they received straight to the club.

Supporters even joined forces to rebuild the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei – AKA ‘ The Old Forester’s House’ – by themselves. The 22,000- capacity stronghold, situated on the edge of the woods, is still terraced on three sides with only 3,617 seats, creating one of Germany’s best matchday atmospheres before the pandemic hit. A packed stadium also hosts a famous annual Christmas gathering – and fans of the national team plonked 750 sofas on the pitch to watch matches on a big screen during the 2014 World Cup.

Union rose through the leagues, then made it to the Bundesliga for the first time in 2019 – sparking rapturous celebrations that featured a flotilla on Berlin’s River Spree. Promotion set up a top- flight clash with Hertha Berlin, the city’s dominant club since reunification: Union won 1- 0 at home when Hertha fans launched fireworks, then home ultras invaded the pitch. A nice peaceful evening, then.

Hertha gained revenge in the return match, triumphing 4- 0 and pipping their rivals on goal difference in the final table. After finishing an encouraging 11th, though, Urs Fischer’s Union have climbed as high as fifth this term.

Streaking more than 10 points clear of Hertha, will this finally be the year when they’re number one in Berlin?