1. FC Union Berlin

1. Fußballclub Union Berlin e. V., commonly known as 1. FC Union Berlin (pronounced [ˈeːɐ̯stɐ ʔɛfˈt͡seː ʔuˈni̯oːn bɛʁˈliːn] ⓘ) or Union Berlin, is a professional German football club based in Köpenick, Berlin.

Union Berlin
Full name1. Fußballclub Union Berlin e. V.
Nickname(s)Die Eisernen (The Iron Ones)
Founded20 January 1906 (1906-01-20)
(preceded by FC Olympia Oberschöneweide, founded 1906)
GroundStadion An der Alten Försterei
Capacity22,012
PresidentDirk Zingler
Head coachUrs Fischer
LeagueBundesliga
2022–23Bundesliga, 4th of 18
WebsiteClub website

The club's origins can be traced to 1906, when its predecessor FC Olympia Oberschöneweide was founded. During the Cold War, Union was based in East Berlin, joining the German league structure upon the reunification of the city and country in 1990.[1] From 2009 until 2019, they competed in the 2. Bundesliga, the second tier of German football. In 2019, Union won promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time in the club's history. In 2021, Union finished seventh in the league to qualify to the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League. In 2022, the club qualified for the UEFA Europa League by finishing fifth. The following season, the club qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history, by finishing fourth in the Bundesliga.

The home ground of the club is the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. It is the second-largest in the German capital and has been home to Union Berlin and its forerunners since it opened in 1920.[2] The stadium also hosts concerts and the annual Weihnachtssingen Christmas carols event.[3]

As of 2022, Union Berlin has 45,000 official members.[4] The club has become well known for its enthusiastic and creative fan base and its chant "Eisern Union" (Iron Union).[5][6]

History

First foundation (1906–1945)

The name 1. FC Union Berlin was used by two football clubs that shared a common origin as FC Olympia Oberschöneweide, founded in 1906 in Oberschöneweide, which at that time was a suburb of Berlin. The side took on the name SC Union 06 Oberschöneweide in 1910. Union was one of Berlin's premier clubs in the interwar period, regularly winning local championships and competing at the national level, including an appearance in the 1923 German championship final which they lost 0–3 to Hamburger SV.

Early on, the team was nicknamed "Schlosserjungs" (English: metalworker-boys) because of their then all blue kit, reminiscent of the typical work clothing worn in the factories of the industrial Oberschöneweide district. The popular cry of Union supporters – "Eisern Union!" (Iron Union) – also emerged at this time.[7] Since its foundation the club has had a distinct working-class image, in contrast to other local clubs with more middle-class origins, such as Viktoria 89 Berlin, Blau-Weiß 90 Berlin, BSV 92 Berlin or Tennis Borussia Berlin.

In 1933, German football was reorganized under the Third Reich into 16 top-flight divisions known as Gauligen. Oberschöneweide became part of the Gauliga Berlin-Brandenburg, where they generally earned middling, unexceptional results. They were relegated in 1935 and returned to first division play in 1936 after only one season's absence. In 1940, the team finished first in Group B of the division and then defeated Blau-Weiß 90 (1–2, 3–0) to win the overall division title. That advanced the club to the national playoffs where they were put out by Rapid Wien in the opening group round (2–3, 1–3). Union resumed its place as an unremarkable side. They were relegated again in 1942 and played the final war-shortened Gauliga season in 1944–45.

Dissolution and split (1945–1961)
Coach Hanne Sobek (left) in 1955.
Historical chart of Union Berlin league performance

After World War II, occupying Allied authorities ordered the dissolution of all organizations in Germany, including sports and football associations. A new sport community called SG Oberschöneweide was formed in late 1945 and it played in the City League organized immediately after the war which had four regional departments. The team did not qualify to the newly created Oberliga Berlin (I) in 1946 after a poor season, but was promoted in 1947, won the division title right away and regained club status as SG Union Oberschöneweide during 1948–49.

The club finished the 1949–50 season in second place in Berlin and qualified to take part in the national final rounds. However, escalating Cold War tensions led Soviet authorities to refuse the team permission to travel to take part. Two Union teams then emerged as most players and coaches fled to the west to form Sport-Club Union 06 Berlin which took part in the scheduled playoff match in Kiel against Hamburger SV, losing 0–7.[8][9]

The players remaining in the east carried on as SG Union Oberschöneweide while a number of players who had fled to the west to form SC organized a third side called Berliner Ballspiel-Club Südost. The western team was a strong side until the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, drawing huge crowds to matches in the Olympiastadion.[7] The division of the city led to a change of fortunes for BBC Südost which plays today in the lower divisions before meagre crowds.

Restart as Union Berlin (1961–1990)
Ulrich Prüfke (captain) and Ralph Quest raise the FDGB Pokal trophy in 1968.

The eastern branch of the club went through a number of name changes: Union Oberschöneweide (1950), BSG Motor Oberschöneweide (1951), SC Motor Berlin (1955), TSC Oberschöneweide (1957), TSC Berlin (1963) – finally becoming the football club 1. FC Union Berlin in 1966.

1. FC Union Berlin was founded during the reorganization of East German football in December 1965 and January 1966, when ten dedicated football clubs were created. However, the football department of TSC Berlin was originally not taken into account. Only two clubs were planned for East Berlin, to be formed from the football departments of ASK Vorwärts Berlin and SC Dynamo Berlin. This was already contrary to the original plan, which had envisioned only one football club per district. And the football department of TSC Berlin was only playing in the second tier DDR-Liga at the time.

1. FC Union Berlin was allegedly founded on the initiative of the powerful Herbert Warnke. Herbert Warnke was the chairman of the state-controlled national trade union FDGB and a member of the SED Politburo. Another SED politician and Politburo member who pushed for the founding of 1. FC Union Berlin was the SED First Secretary in East Berlin Paul Verner.[10] Both ASK Vorwärts Berlin and SC Dynamo Berlin were associated with the armed organs (German: Bewaffnete Organe der DDR). Warnke therefore argued for the creation of a third "civilian club" for the working people in East Berlin. He would become a passionate fan of 1. FC Union Berlin and a sponsoring member of the club.[11][12]

1. FC Union Berlin was established in the middle of one of the largest industrial centers in East Germany.[13] 1. FC Union Berlin was initially supported by the FDGB. The intention of the SED to win the support from FDGB for 1. FC Union Berlin was likely well thought out. The FDGB unified all workers in East Germany and therefore was most likely to carry the proper identity for a club of the working people.[12] The club was founded in a ceremony in the clubhouse of VEB Transformatorenwerk Oberschöneheide "Karl Liebknecht" (TRO) in Oberschöneweide on 20 January 1966. The founding of the club was organized by the then-SED First Secretary in Köpenick, Hans Modrow.[14] Like Herbert Warnke, Hans Modrow would be a sponsoring member of the club.[12] SED Politburo member Paul Verner held a speech at the inaugural meeting.[15]

1. FC Union Berlin was the only football club not playing in the DDR-Oberliga at the time of its founding. As a dedicated football club, it was elevated into the upper tier of privileged elite clubs.[16][17] The official sponsor of 1. FC Union Berlin was the state-owned combine VVB Hochspannungsgeräte und Kabel, which implemented its support through VEB Kabelwerk Oberspree, VEB Transformatorenwerk Oberschöneweide and other local state-owned enterprises.[18] The first club president was the general director of VVB Hochspannungsgeräte und Kabel, Werner Otto, and his deputy was the SED Second Secretary in East Berlin, Hans Wagner.[19][20] Even as a "civilian club", 1. FC Union Berlin was part of the state sports political system.[21][nb 1] The most important positions on the board of 1. FC Union Berlin would exclusively be held by directors of state-owned factories or SED representatives.[19] 1. FC Union Berlin was state-funded and all club decisions had to be reported to the all-powerful central sports agency DTSB.[21] In turn, the DTSB stood under direct control of the SED Central Committee.[22]

The support from the FDGB ended when Herbert Warnke was replaced by Harry Tisch as the chairman of the FDGB in 1975. Tisch had begun his political career in Rostock and instead gave his support to FC Hansa Rostock. This event was remarkable, as it revealed the large influence that high-ranking politicians exerted on football in East Germany.[12] 1. FC Union Berlin would then had to rely on support from the regional district administration of the ruling SED party in East Berlin and local state-owned enterprises.[23][24] The main sponsors would be VEB Kabelwerk Oberspree (KWO), VEB Transformatorenwerk Oberschöneweide (TRO) and VEB Werk für Fernsehelektronik (WF).[12][25][26] 1. FC Union Berlin developed a bitter rivalry with BFC Dynamo, which was supported by the Stasi.[7] While their arch rivals won 10 titles in a row, Union yo-yoed between the DDR-Oberliga and the DDR-Liga with very little success. Union managed to win the East German Cup in 1968 when they defeated FC Carl Zeiss Jena 2–1 although they lost in their second cup appearance in 1986 to 1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig by a score of 1–5.

The East German state-owned film studio DEFA produced a documentary about the supporters of 1. FC Union Berlin in 1989. The documentary is called "And Fridays at the Green Hell" and follows a group of supporters of 1. FC Union Berlin to both home and away matches during the 1987–88 season.[7][27]

2. Bundesliga era (1990–2019)
Supporters choreography in 2010

After German reunification in 1990, the team continued to perform well on the field, but almost collapsed financially. They managed to hang on through some tight times and find sponsorship, but only after winning their division in both 1993 and 1994 and each time being denied a license to play in the 2. Bundesliga due to their financial problems. The club had another close brush with financial failure in 1997.[7]

Union again came close to advancing to the 2. Bundesliga in 1998–99 and 1999–2000, but were disappointed. They were finally successful in 2000–01, under Bulgarian manager Georgi Vasilev, easily winning the Regionalliga Nord (III) and moving up a division to become the city's second most popular side. That same year they appeared in the final of the German Cup where they lost 0–2 to FC Schalke 04, and advanced as far as the second round in UEFA Cup before being put out by Bulgarian side PFC Litex Lovech. The club slipped to the Regionalliga Nord (III) in 2004–05 and then to the NOFV-Oberliga Nord (IV) in 2005–06, but returned to third division play after capturing the Oberliga title. In 2008–09, Union became one of the founding clubs of the new 3. Liga, and its inaugural champion, securing first place and promotion to the 2. Bundesliga on 10 May.

A controversy erupted in 2011 when it became publicly known that club president Dirk Zingler had been a member of the Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment for three years during his military service.[28] Only two years before, Zingler had cancelled a sponsorship deal with the company International Sport Promotion (ISP) because the head of the board at the company had been a Stasi officer.[28][29] The Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment was the paramilitary wing of the Stasi. Zingler explained that he had sought to spend his military service in Berlin and that he was unaware beforehand that the regiment belonged to the Stasi.[30][29] However, the Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment was an elite formation; it was not possible to simply apply for the regiment. The Stasi selected who it thought were best fit to serve with the regiment,[30] only accepting recruits that were "loyal to the line".[29] Zingler had also been a member of the Socialist Unity Party (SED) and leader in the Free German Youth (FDJ) at the time.[31][29] Union Press spokesman Christian Arbeit commented on the reports about Zingler in 2011 saying: "We do have a very unique history, compared to other clubs. But it wasn't us that always claimed we were this big anti-Stasi club. These are stories that get simplified in the media."[32]

On 1 June 2018, Swiss coach Urs Fischer was announced as new head coach of the club.[33] The team remained in the second tier until the 2018–19 season, when they secured their first-ever promotion into the Bundesliga after defeating VfB Stuttgart in the relegation play-offs. The fans invaded the pitch after the victory, but no one was harmed.[34]

Bundesliga era and European football (2019–present)

Union Berlin became the first Bundesliga club from the former East Berlin and the sixth from the former East Germany, after Dynamo Dresden, Hansa Rostock, VfB Leipzig, Energie Cottbus, and RB Leipzig. The team is the sixth to win promotion from the 2. Bundesliga by beating the 16th-placed Bundesliga team in the playoff – since it began in the 1981–82 season, the others being Bayer Uerdingen, 1. FC Saarbrücken, Stuttgarter Kickers, 1. FC Nürnberg and Fortuna Düsseldorf. Ahead of Union Berlin's debut season in the Bundesliga, the club signed Neven Subotić,[35] Anthony Ujah[36] and Christian Gentner,[37] as well as re-signing Marvin Friedrich, who had scored a decisive goal against Stuttgart in the play-offs in the previous season to secure promotion for the club.[38] The first ever Bundesliga goal was scored by Sebastian Andersson in a 1–1 draw against Augsburg.[39] On 31 August 2019, the club claimed its first ever Bundesliga victory by beating Borussia Dortmund 3–1 in a home game.[40] The team finished the season in 11th place, with Sebastian Andersson scoring 12 goals.

On 22 May 2021, in Union Berlin's second Bundesliga season, the club qualified for the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League after finishing seventh, following a 2–1 home win against RB Leipzig, with Max Kruse confirming Union Berlin's first European campaign in twenty years, with a 92nd-minute winner.[41] In the following season, the club finished fifth in the league to qualify to the Europa League, where they managed to reach the round of 16.[42] In the 2022–23 season, Union Berlin qualified for the Champions League group stage for the first time in its history, after a 1–0 home win against Werder Bremen on the final matchday.[43]

Stadium
Main article: Stadion An der Alten Försterei
The main building of the stadium was inaugurated in late 2013.

In 1920 SC Union Oberschöneweide (forerunner of today's 1. FC Union Berlin) had to find a new home ground as its former pitch had been built over by developers with residential buildings. The club moved a little further away from the city to the north-western part of the borough of Köpenick. The new stadium was officially opened in August 1920 with a match between Oberschöneweide and the then German champions 1. FC Nürnberg (1–2). The inaugural match in at the Alte Försterei had already been played on 17 March, when Union challenged Viktoria 89 Berlin.

When Union won promotion to the DDR-Oberliga (the top flight in East Germany) in 1966, the stadium soon needed to be expanded. The ground was first expanded in 1970 when the Gegengerade terrace was raised, whilst further extensions to the terracing at both ends in the late 1970s and early 1980s increased the capacity furthermore to 22,500. However, the somewhat spartan facilities at Alte Försterei had quickly begun to show their age and went into a serious decline.

Alte Försterei
The Stadion An der Alten Försterei is the largest single-purpose football stadium in Berlin.

After German reunification, when Union were assigned by the German Football Association to play in the third league, the outdated stadium proved only one of a number of factors that hampered the club's push for promotion to higher leagues.

In the middle of 2008, the club decided to finally modernise the stadium, the Stadion An der Alten Försterei (Old Forester's House). Money was still tight, and so the fans simply built the ground themselves. More than 2,000 Union supporters invested 140,000 working hours to create what is now regarded as the largest football-specific stadium in Berlin.[44] During the redevelopment, Union played at the Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark. Inside the stadium an array of outside beer kiosks and open air grills serving bratwurst and pork steaks at the back of the stand provide the culinary staples. The official opening on 12 July 2013, was celebrated with a friendly against Scottish Champions Celtic. It holds 22,012 people with 3,617 seats. The rest is terracing.

World Cup living room

In 2014, the club came up with the idea of inviting their fans to take their own sofas to the ground for the whole of the World Cup, to enjoy the televised matches in the company of fellow supporters.[45] More than 800 sofas were placed on the pitch in rows in front of a big screen.[46] The event was later recognized with the Fan Experience Award at The Stadium Business Summit 2015 in Barcelona.[47]

Redevelopments of the Försterei and European Games

in 2017, plans were announced to expand the Försterei from 22,012 to 37,000 with the installation of a new tier across the 3 stands that oppose the main stand. It was announced that the plans should start at the end of the 2023/24 season. the President of Union, Dirk Zingler stated that for the 2024/25 Season, Union Berlin will play at the Olympiastadion in the former West Berlin.


In 2021/22, Union Berlin played their UEFA Europa Conference League Games at the Olympiastadion due to UEFA's ban of Terracing, which was lifted in the 2022/23 season in favour of Safe Standing. Union was able to play at the Försterei for the 2022/23 UEFA Europa League campaign. Then, in the Wake of their Qualification to the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League, Dirk Zingler confirmed that Union will be again playing at the Olympiastadion, as well as confirming that the Försterei will be used in the UEFA Youth League. This was not done in guidance of UEFA instead was done willingly. This is because of the demand of ticket sale being too much for the Försterei to handle, which was proven to be the case as in the UCL Season ticket sales, they sold out a total 120,000 tickets for all 3 Home Games (40,000 in each game) in one day

Organization
The Alte Försterei (Old foresters house) is the main office of the club.

1. FC Union Berlin is led mostly by fans. Dirk Zingler has served as the club's president since 2004.[48] The club had 41,088 registered members in 2022.[49]

President From To
Werner Otto20 June 196631 July 1967
Heinz Müller1 August 196731 July 1970
Paul Fettback1 August 197031 October 1973
Heinz Hiillert1 November 197325 November 1975
Günter Mielis26 November 19751 March 1982
Dr. Norbert Woick2 March 198231 October 1983
Klaus Brumm1 November 198320 December 1984
Uwe Piontek21 December 19843 November 1987
Hans-Günther Hansel4 November 19875 June 1990
Gerhard Kalweit6 June 199031 July 1993
Detlef Bracht17 August 199331 July 1994
Horst Kahstein14 November 1994September 1997
Heiner Bertram7 October 199712 October 2003
Jürgen Schlebrowski13 October 200330 June 2004
Dirk Zingler1 July 2004

Sport Management
  • Oliver Ruhnert since 5 May 2018

Sponsorships

1. FC Union Berlin is sponsored by around 300 private and corporate partners.

Young Union Berlin supporter
Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
1998/99NikeSkandia
1999/2000BSR Gruppe
2000/01
2001/02
2002/03Saller
2003/04
2004/05
2005/06NikeEastWest
2006/07
2007/08Silicon Sensor
2008/09do you football
2009/10kfzteile24
2010/11
2011/12Uhlsport
2012/13f.becker
2013/14
2014/15kfzteile24
2015/16Macron
2016/17Layenberger
2017/18
2018/19
2019/20Aroundtown SA
2020/21Adidas
2021/22
2022/23Wefox

Organizational history

The organizational history of 1. FC Union Berlin includes several different clubs and names.

The organizational history 1. FC Union Berlin (in German).
DateNameNote
17 June 1906FC Olympia OberschöneweideFounding of FC Olympia Oberschöneweide.
22 July 1906BTuFC Helgoland, department OberschöneweideJoined club BTuFC Helgoland as a third team and department in Oberschöneweide.
10 February 1907BTuFC Union 1892, department OberschöneweideJoined club BTuFC Union 1892 as a fourth team and department in Oberschöneweide.
20 February 1909Union OberschöneweideJoined the football association Verband Berliner Ballspielvereine (VBB) as Union Oberschöneweide, or more precisely SC Union Oberschöneweide.
1945SG OberschöneweideSC Union Oberschöneweide was dissolved by the Allied occupation authorities and the club was refounded as SG Oberschöneweide.
December 1948SG Union OberschöneweideThe club was re-admitted under its old club name.
1951BSG Motor OberschöneweideJoined with enterprise sports community BSG Motor Oberschöneweide. The team colours are changed from the traditional blue and white to today's characteristic red and white.
1 February 1955SC Motor BerlinThe first team was joined with the new sports club SC Motor Berlin as a football department.
6 June 1957TSC OberschöneweideSC Motor Berlin was merged with several enterprise sports communities (BSG) to form sports club TSC Oberschöneweide.
18 February 1963TSC BerlinMerged with other sports clubs to form TSC Berlin.
20 January 19661. FC Union BerlinThe football department of TSC Berlin was separated from the sports club and reorganized into a football club. Founding of 1. FC Union Berlin.

Players
See also: List of 1. FC Union Berlin players

Current squad
As of 1 September 2023[50]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Denmark DEN Frederik Rønnow
3 DF Germany GER Paul Jaeckel
4 DF Portugal POR Diogo Leite
5 DF Netherlands NED Danilho Doekhi (3rd captain)
6 MF Germany GER Robin Gosens
7 FW United States USA Brenden Aaronson (on loan from Leeds United)
8 MF Germany GER Rani Khedira
9 FW Denmark DEN Mikkel Kaufmann
10 FW Germany GER Kevin Volland
11 FW Ivory Coast CIV David Datro Fofana (on loan from Chelsea)
12 GK Denmark DEN Jakob Busk
13 MF Hungary HUN András Schäfer
16 FW Germany GER Benedict Hollerbach
17 FW Germany GER Kevin Behrens
No. Pos. Nation Player
18 DF Croatia CRO Josip Juranović
19 MF Germany GER Janik Haberer
20 MF Tunisia TUN Aïssa Laïdouni
23 DF Italy ITA Leonardo Bonucci
26 DF Guadeloupe GLP Jérôme Roussillon
27 FW Suriname SUR Sheraldo Becker (vice-captain)
28 DF Austria AUT Christopher Trimmel (captain)
29 MF France FRA Lucas Tousart
31 DF Germany GER Robin Knoche
33 MF Czech Republic CZE Alex Král (on loan from Spartak Moscow)
36 MF Germany GER Aljoscha Kemlein
37 GK Germany GER Alexander Schwolow
38 FW Germany GER Laurenz Dehl
39 GK Germany GER Yannic Stein

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— GK Germany GER Lennart Grill (at VfL Osnabrück until 30 June 2024)
— DF Germany GER Mathis Bruns (at Stuttgarter Kickers until 30 June 2024)
— DF Poland POL Tymoteusz Puchacz (at 1. FC Kaiserslautern until 30 June 2024)
— MF Norway NOR Morten Thorsby (at Genoa until 30 June 2024)
— FW Japan JPN Keita Endo (at Eintracht Braunschweig until 30 June 2024)
No. Pos. Nation Player
— FW Germany GER Jamie Leweling (at VfB Stuttgart until 30 June 2024)
— FW United States USA Jordan Pefok (at Borussia Mönchengladbach until 30 June 2024)
— FW Germany GER David Preu (at VfR Aalen until 30 June 2024)
— FW Germany GER Tim Skarke (at SV Darmstadt 98 until 30 June 2024)

Notable former players
Robert Huth left the club's youth system in 2001, joining Chelsea.

All-time top scorer

Algeria Karim Benyamina (87)[51]

The number 22 will not be worn on the back of a Union shirt until someone breaks the all-time Union scoring record of Karim Benyamina, who scored 87 goals in 213 appearances for the club. "This is a great gesture by president Dirk Zingler. That is the reward for six successful years," he said in 2016. Over 14,000 fans turned out to give Benyamina his career send-off alongside another legend, Torsten Mattuschka, who is often seen as the face of that particular era for Union.[51]

Reserve team

The club's reserve team, 1. FC Union Berlin II, most recently played in the tier four Regionalliga Nordost, having won promotion to the league in 2012. Previous to this it spent two seasons in the NOFV-Oberliga Nord. At the end of the 2014–15 season the club withdrew the team from competition.[52][53]

Women

Union Berlin's women's team was formed in September 1969, becoming the first women's team in Berlin and one of the first in East Germany. The women's team initially competed against Union Berlin's youth teams due to a lack of opponents, playing their first game on 17 January 1970, losing 7–1. In 1971, the team were amalgamated into KWO Berlin's women's team, before KWO merged with Union Berlin in June 1990 following German reunification.[54] The team currently compete in the Regionalliga Nordost.

Coaching staff
Urs Fischer
Role Name
ManagerSwitzerland Urs Fischer
Assistant managerGermany Sebastian Bönig
First-team coachGermany Markus Hoffmann
Goalkeeper coachGermany Michael Gspurning
Athletic trainerGermany Martin Kruger
Rehab trainerGermany Michel Kuper
Coordinator, game analysisGermany Adrian Wittmann
Game analysisGermany Sebastian Podsiadl
Team doctorGermany Clemens Gwinner
Austria Fabian Plachel
Senior physiotherapistGermany Sven Kuhlbrodt
Germany Maximilian Perschk
PhysiotherapistGermany Robert Kemna
Germany Frank Placzek
MasseurGermany Thomas Riedel
Team coordinationGermany Susanne Kopplin
Team supervisor / Bus driverGermany Martin Schäfter

Managerial history

European record

Overview
Competition S Pld W D L GF GA GD
UEFA Champions League 1300325−3
UEFA Europa League/UEFA Cup 2146441413+1
UEFA Europa Conference League 18323129+3
Intertoto Cup 2125251512+3
Total 637148154339+4

Matches
Union Berlin score listed first.
Season Competition Round Opposition Home Away Agg.
1967–68 Intertoto Cup Group B7 Denmark KB 0–3 0–1 3rd place
Poland Katowice 3–0 0–1
Czechoslovakia Union Teplice 0–1 1–1
1986–87 Intertoto Cup Group 2 West Germany Bayer Uerdingen 3–2 0–3 1st place
Switzerland Lausanne-Sport 1–0 1–1
Belgium Standard Liège 4–1 2–1
2001–02 UEFA Cup 1R Finland Haka 3–0 1–1 4–1
2R Bulgaria Litex Lovech 0–2 0–0 0–2
2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League PO Finland KuPS 0–0 4–0 4–0
Group E Czech Republic Slavia Prague 1–1 1–3 3rd place
Netherlands Feyenoord 1–2 1–3
Israel Maccabi Haifa 3–0 1–0
2022–23 UEFA Europa League Group D Belgium Union Saint-Gilloise 0–1 1–0 2nd place
Portugal Braga 1–0 0–1
Sweden Malmö FF 1–0 1–0
KRPO Netherlands Ajax 3–1 0–0 3–1
R16 Belgium Union Saint-Gilloise 3–3 0–3 3–6
2023–24 UEFA Champions League Group C Spain Real Madrid 0–1
Portugal Braga 2–3
Italy Napoli 0–1

UEFA club coefficient ranking

As of 18 September 2023
Source:[55]

RankTeamPoints
70Norway Molde21.500
71Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv21.500
72Germany Union Berlin21.000
73Belgium Antwerp21.000
74Germany Borussia Mönchengladbach21.000

Player records

Most appearances

Competitive, professional matches only. Up to date as of 24 January 2023

Rank Player Years League Cup Europe Other Total
1East Germany Lutz Hendel1968–1984297460307
2Germany Tom Persich1994–20062851441304
3Austria Christopher Trimmel2014–present25419131287
4Germany Torsten Mattuschka2005–2014272900281
5Germany Michael Parensen2009–20202341302249
6Germany Jan Glinker2002–2014232400236
7Germany Christian Stuff2006–2014214500219
8Germany Ronny Nikol1997–20032001141216
9East GermanyGermany Frank Placzek1987–1997192301196
10Algeria Karim Benyamina2005–2011189300192

Top goalscorers

Competitive, professional matches only. Up to date as of 24 January 2023

Rank Player Years League Cup Europe Matches Total
1Poland Jacek Mencel1990–1994660011866
2Algeria Karim Benyamina2005–2011620019262
3Germany Torsten Mattuschka2005–2014601028161
4Bosnia and Herzegovina Sergej Barbarez1993–199648009248
5Brazil Daniel Teixeira2001
2005–2007		47006847
6Germany Sebastian Polter2014–2015
2017–2020		442010446
7North Macedonia Goran Markov1993–199543108344
8Germany Nico Patschinski1994–1998
2006–2009		431014044
9Germany Steffen Menze1998–2003382016440
10Germany Matthias Zimmerling1991–1994
1997–1998		37009237

Club culture
Main article: Culture in Berlin

1. FC Union Berlin is recognized as one of Europe's "cult" clubs, based on many unique fan and club initiatives over the last two decades.[56][57][58]

The nicknames of the club are Eiserne (the Iron Ones) or Eisern Union (Iron Union). These nicknames evolved from the earlier sobriquet Schlosserjungs (metalworker boys), a reference to the blue kit the Union played in, as it was reminiscent of the overalls worn by local workers.[59]

In May 2004, the supporters raised enough money to secure the club's license for fourth-division football through a campaign called 'Bleed for Union'.[60] This catchphrase was not meant metaphorically. One element of the campaign was that fans donated blood to Berlin hospitals and then gave the money they received from the blood bank to their club.

After 2010, Union Berlin became increasingly attractive for new Berliners, even internationals, who were drawn to the atmosphere at the club.[61]

  • Punk legend Nina Hagen
    Punk legend Nina Hagen
  • Weihnachtssingen (Christmas carols singing) in 2010
    Weihnachtssingen (Christmas carols singing) in 2010
  • Union Berlin boat on the river Spree
    Union Berlin boat on the river Spree
  • Union Berlin Bus
    Union Berlin Bus

Rivalries
Further information: Berlin derby

During the East German era, 1. FC Union Berlin was known for a rivalry with BFC Dynamo, which was reputedly affiliated with the powerful state security service of East Germany (Stasi). Union on the other hand, was supported by the regional district administration of the governing SED party and sponsored by local state-owned enterprises.[23][24] The club played some identificatory role in the unofficial opposition against the authorities of the communist system.[62] Between 1979 and 1988, BFC Dynamo won ten consecutive East German league titles, with popular allegations of sporting misconduct helping to fuel the rivalry, and clashes between both sets of fans occurred.[63] BFC Dynamo was seen as the supreme representative of the security agencies, with advantages in the recruitment of players and financial support as well as the political clout of Erich Mielke.[16] An expression among the supporters of Union Berlin was: "Better to be a loser than a stupid Stasi pig".[64] Supporters of Union cultivated the image of their club as the eternal underdog that was firmly rooted in the working class.[16][65] Union became the most popular club in East Berlin.[66]

It is said that fans of 1. FC Union Berlin often chanted "The wall must go!", with a reference to the Berlin Wall, when the opponents formed a wall during free kicks in 1980s. However, some sources suggest that this is partly a myth and exaggerated.[67][68][nb 2] Supporters of Union saw themselves as stubborn and non-conformist. But this image should not be confused with actual resistance.[70] For some supporters of Union, the dissident reputation is a legend that was created after Die Wende.[71] Honorary president of Union Günter Mielis has said: "Union was not a club of resistance fighters, but we had to fight against a lot of political and economic resistance over and over again. We got strength from our fans".[72] Politics was not in the foreground.[17] Most supporters of Union were just normal football supporters.[73] There were no political groups at Union.[68] A supporter of Union from the East German era has said: "With the best of intentions, Union fans did not contribute to the overthrow of the GDR. No way, we were interested in football. There is the cliché about the club for the enemies of the state, but that wasn't us".[74] Another supporter said: "I think it's a myth that all Unioners were in the opposition. I think it was a basic attitude of the East German football youth in the 1970s and 1980s, that they were critical of the system."[75] Supporters of Union from the East German era have testified that the club was the most important thing, and the identification with Union had primarily to do with Köpenick.[76]

Despite 1. FC Union Berlin and Hertha BSC making up the two biggest clubs in Berlin, a rivalry between the two has been much less pronounced. Sympathies between supporters of the two clubs developed in divided Berlin. The first personal contacts between supporters of the two clubs occurred in the 1970s.[77] Supporters of Hertha visited the Stadion An der Alten Försterei and supporters of Union accompanied the supporters of Hertha when Hertha played in the Eastern Bloc countries, such as the quarter finals in the 1978–79 UEFA Cup against Dukla Prague.[78] Chants and slogans such as "Ha-Ho-He, there are only two teams on the Spree – Union and Hertha BSC" (German: Ha-Ho-He, es gibt nur zwei Mannschaften an der Spree – Union und Hertha BSC) and "Hertha and Union – one nation" (German: Hertha und Union – eine Nation) became popular among the two sets of supporters.[77] The two sets of supporters came together for the first time after the opening of the Berlin wall during the first edition of the indoor tournament "Internationales Berliner Hallenfußballturnier" in the Werner-Seelenbinder-Halle on 18–20 January 1990.[79] Supporters of Union and Hertha now also sang xenophobic and nationalist chants.[80] The teams of Hertha BSC and 1. FC Union Berlin also met in the tournament on 19 January 1990. It was the first ever meeting between the two sides. Hertha BSC won the match 3-2 in front of 4,000 spectators in Werner-Seelenbinder-Halle.[81][79]

On 27 January 1990, 79 days after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Hertha hosted Union Berlin at the Olympiastadion in a friendly in front of 52,000 spectators. Fans of both clubs paid for admission in East and West Germany's respective currencies and sang songs of German reunification as Hertha won 2–1. Over twenty years later, on 17 September 2010, the duo faced each other for the first time in a competitive meeting, at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, drawing 1–1 in the 2. Bundesliga.[82] On 2 November 2019, Union Berlin faced Hertha at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, in the first clash between the clubs in the top flight of German football. An 87th minute Sebastian Polter penalty secured a 1–0 win for Union, in a game temporarily suspended by referee Deniz Aytekin, following fireworks fired by Hertha fans landing amongst Union Berlin fans, as well as on the playing surface. 1,100 police officers were on duty for the game, with Hertha fans burning Union Berlin shirts, flags and scarves during the game.[83] The supporters of Hertha had also been joined by 20–25 supporters of BFC Dynamo in the guest block.[84] Following full time, Union Berlin goalkeeper Rafał Gikiewicz won praise from fans and media alike after ushering Union Berlin ultras from the field of play, following a minor pitch invasion devised to attack Hertha supporters.[83]

Union Berlin also holds rivalries with Hansa Rostock,[85] Dynamo Dresden,[86] and Magdeburg dating back to when the teams used to compete in the DDR-Oberliga.[87]

More recently, the club has developed a rivalry with RB Leipzig, following the takeover of license and teams from fifth division side SSV Markranstädt financed by Red Bull GmbH and the ascension by Leipzig to the Bundesliga system. In 2011, Union Berlin ran adverts against the investment of the club whilst also cancelling a pre-season friendly with the club. On 21 September 2014, Union Berlin fans staged a silent protest for the first 15 minutes of a 2. Bundesliga home game against RB Leipzig, labelling RB Leipzig a "marketing product pushed by financial interests" with "brainwashed consumers in the stands". Union Berlin won the game 2–1.[88] On 18 August 2019, during Union Berlin's first ever Bundesliga game, at home against RB Leipzig, the club's oldest ultras group, the Wuhlesyndikat, successfully called for a 15-minute silent protest at the start of the club's 2019–20 opener.[89]

Songs

The official Union Berlin song is "Eisern Union" by German punk singer Nina Hagen.[90] The composition was recorded in 1998. Four versions were issued on a CD single by G.I.B Music and Distribution GmbH.

The famous supporters' chant 'Eisern Union' (Iron Union) bounces back and forth between the terraces named Waldseite and the Gegengerade, and is followed by mutual acknowledging applause.[91]

Christmas tradition

Union Berlin is also well known for its Christmas traditions celebrated in their home stadium.[92] In 2003 the yearly Union Weihnachtssingen started as an unofficial gathering to which just 89 fans showed up. In 2013, 27,500 people attended, including players and supporters of other teams from around Germany and Europe. Fans drink Glühwein (mulled wine), wave candles around, light flares and sing a combination of Christmas carols and football chants.[93]

Mascot

Ritter Keule (Literally: Cudgel the Knight) is the mascot of Union Berlin.[94] He was first introduced in 2000.[95]

Movies and games

Union fürs Leben (Union for life) is a 2014 documentary film that showcases the supporters passion for 1. FC Union Berlin.[96]

Honours

Domestic
The team celebrates their Berlin Cup victory at the Köpenick town hall in 2007.
  1. Won by SC Union Oberschöneweide.
  2. Won by TSC Berlin.
  3. Won by TSC Oberschöneweide.

Regional
  1. Won by SC Union Oberschöneweide.
  2. VBB-Verbandsliga, organized by football association Verband Brandenburgischer Ballspielvereine (VBB).
  3. VBB-Oberliga, organized by football association Verband Brandenburgischer Ballspielvereine (VBB).
  4. Won by SG Oberschöneweide.

Youth
  1. Corresponds to U17 level.
  2. Corresponds to U19 level.
  3. Won by TSC Oberschöneweide.

Seasons
Main article: List of 1. FC Union Berlin seasons

Further reading
  • Böttcher, Jan; Willmann, Frank. (2017). Alles auf Rot: Der 1. FC Union Berlin (in German), Berlin: Blumenbar. ISBN 978-3-351-05046-7.
  • Koch, Matthias. (2013). "Immer weiter – ganz nach vorn": Die Geschichte des 1. FC Union Berlin (in German). Göttingen: Die Werkstatt. ISBN 978-3730700495.
  • Luther, Jörn; Willmann, Frank. (2001). Und niemals vergessen – Eisern Union! (in German). Berlin: BasisDruck. ISBN 978-3861631262.

See also

Explanatory notes
  1. Being a "civilian club" did not mean that the club was independent from the state sports political system. A "civilian club" was simply a club that was not affiliated to the sports associations (SV) of the armed organs, SV Dynamo or ASV Vorwärts. The civilian clubs were instead clubs of the DTSB. All clubs in the 1966-67 DDR-Oberliga, except FC Vorwärts Berlin, BFC Dynamo and SG Dynamo Dresden, were civilian clubs.
  2. A former Stasi employee, who was one of two employees responsible for monitoring the supporter scene of Union Berlin, claims that he never heard such chants himself, and that they would not have intervened with such chants anyway. Chants were only noted in their reports and classified among themselves: if they came from someone they had to worry about or if it was just someone venting their frustration.[69] The Stasi also had two employees responsible for monitoring the supporter scene of BFC Dynamo in the same way.[69]

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