“It’s more than football — it’s history, loyalty, and the kind of bond you can only find in the beautiful game.”
HERTHA BSC: WE STAND TOGETHER THROUGH IT ALL
Cohesion makes us unique. We Berliners stick together, especially when it comes to Hertha BSC.
Our club has faced more ups and downs than I can count, with years of missteps and money wasted on almost nothing. But we stand together through it all. In 2022, a turning point came when Kay Bernstein became our president.
His leadership rekindled our sense of unity, reminding us why we’re Hertha fans. Kay brought us back together — and we owe him so much. Tragically, he left us too soon, but his spirit lives on in each of us. Rest in peace, Kay.
NO, AWAY TRIP IS COMPLETE WITHOUT THAT FIRST BEER
On October 26, we headed out to see Hertha face off against our friends from Karlsruher SC (KSC). This wasn’t just any away game; Hertha and KSC share a friendship that goes back decades.
We left Berlin in the middle of the night, barely any sleep, and set off in two cars. The excitement was enough to keep us going.
It’s a long drive, but as soon as dawn broke, out came the first beers. That’s how it’s done — no away trip is complete without that first beer as the sun rises.
THE TRADITION OF FRIENDSHIP IS STILL ALIVE
When we arrived, the atmosphere was electric, full of anticipation but no tension. We were welcomed as friends, as we always are in Karlsruhe, and the feeling was mutual.
Since 1976, our clubs have been connected by this unique bond. It all began when Hertha fans travelled to Karlsruhe for a match, and KSC fans met us at the station, offered to drive us to a pub, and later to the stadium.
Hertha won 3-0 that day, but it was the start of something bigger. Friendships were made over beers, and addresses were exchanged to keep in touch.
Over the years, even though our teams played in different leagues, fans from both sides would visit each other whenever a match brought us close. That tradition of friendship is still alive, spanning generations.
The game itself was unforgettable. We won 3-1, but it was more than just the score. The chants from the stands — “Hertha” from their side, “Karlsruhe” from ours — echoed back and forth.
The sound filled the stadium, giving me goosebumps. It’s rare to experience something that pure, that celebratory, without any rivalry.
After the match, we celebrated as friends, not foes. At the hotel, then the restaurant, and later over countless beers. We celebrated each other and this shared journey.
Soon, we’ll be celebrating 50 years of this friendship, one of the oldest fan connections in Europe. It’s more than football — it’s history, loyalty, and the kind of bond you can only find in the beautiful game.
ALL WORDS AND IMAGES FROM LUKAS WILKE