THE INTENSITY AND UNITY OF UNION BERLIN

Feature, Sport, Travel
C.S

September 23, 2024

Anyone at any time can become a part of it, you just have to understand the values and ways of Union Berlin.

THE HEARTBEAT OF A CITY

When Matthew Kentish and Mauro Carobene packed their lives into suitcases and moved from the bustling streets of Buenos Aires to the vibrant city of Berlin, they weren’t just looking for new creative horizons.

The two videographers, co-founders of Mystik Pro—a media content production company born in Argentina—had set their sights on expanding their business in Europe. What they didn’t expect was to fall head over heels for Union Berlin, the city’s beloved underdog football club.

Since its inception in 2015, Mystik Pro has evolved into a collective of photographers, videographers, drone pilots, and designers, crafting captivating media solutions across continents.

But amid the challenges of building a business in a new city, it was Union Berlin’s gritty, passionate fan culture that captivated Matthew and Mauro. Their love for the club has become a defining part of their Berlin story, as they immerse themselves in the heartbeat of the city’s football culture—both on and off the pitch.

We caught up with Matthew and Mauro after Union Berlin’s first home game of the season against St Pauli, to find out what makes Die Eisernen such a special and unique club and what you can expect from the match day experience at the An Der Alten Forestei stadium.

FUßBALLGOTT

The Union Berlin match day experience is fantastic! It’s about having a great time with your family, friends and mates and supporting the team unconditionally.

As you take the train towards the neighbourhood of Kopenick, on the east side of Berlin you start feeling the excitement and buzz as you see crowds of red and white starting to appear and fill up.

Once you arrive in Kopenick, you know you have entered the home of Union Berlin as the streets are filled with fans and stickers mark the home territory.

The vibe outside the stadium is normally quite chilled and sometimes the intensity can be felt as everyone is having a beer and bratwurst(sausage on a bun) or just meeting up with their mates.

One of the best parts of the pre-game experience is walking down the forest that leads to the An Der Alten Forestei stadium. It’s a pretty unique path which is different to other stadiums or locations.

Once inside the stadium, you get to enjoy more beer and food and some rock and roll music until the game is about to kick off.

Inside the stadium, you really get to feel the intensity and unity of the club with most of the stadium being for standing.

The fans fully back and cheer the team from the moment they come out to warm up and from the moment the starting lineup is announced. Union Berlin players and even former players (who may play in the opposing team) are cheered on with the phrase “Fußballgott” (football god)

TEARS TO MY EYES

One of my favourite parts of the match day is always the Union Berlin pre-game ritual before kick-off where all the fans raise the scarves and the Nina Hagen anthem is played

When this pre-game ritual starts and the Ultras bring out a TIFO this always blows my mind and never fails to give me goosebumps and even brings tears to my eyes.

IT’S FUCKING EPIC! Once the action starts the chanting and singing never stops and the fans will back the team NO matter what!!

THERE IS ALWAYS A LOT OF HOPE

Ever since St Pauli was promoted back to the first division and it was known that it would be the first home game for FC Union Berlin, the wait was endless.

This is because St Pauli, a historical Bundesliga club located in one of the coolest districts of the city of Hamburg and known for always being at the vanguard both in politics and philosophy, was facing another very similar club, Union Berlin.

The rivalry returned to the German capital after many years. The match itself was crazy. Tough as expected as the North Germans are always a struggle but fortunately it opened with a 1-0 lead for us.

As far as the season, Union Berlin is expected to fight for the bottom places, knowing how tough the league is and with last year’s record of fighting for relegation until the last matchday. The people are optimistic and with some of the new reinforcements, there is always a lot of hope.

YOU ALWAYS GO THERE TO SUPPORT THE TEAM

When you visit the Alten Forsterei expect to make noise, cheer and sing for Union Berlin No matter what.

The Alten Forsterei is a unique experience but to really experience it to its fullest you must limit your screen time and use of your phone and live in the moment.

It can be a hostile place where you feel the intensity and sometimes you can feel like an outsider, but it’s important you always go there to support the team.

It’s important to always respect the team, its players and everyone. Union Berlin has some unwritten rules which state that Union Berlin players should never be booed, or whistled and to always cheer your team. There are even signs saying don’t use your phone in the stadium.

THIS CLUB DOES NOT REPRESENT THE UPPER CLASS

I think one of the key factors that make the club so magical and ideal for football fans is that it is a club with values, small and hard working.

In that sense, a lot of people feel reflected in a team that tries to lead a life very similar to the people in Berlin.

This club does not represent the upper class, here you will never expect millionaire transfers or celebrities.

Here we expect that with the work of every single member, we will reach our final goal and in the process remain who we are, respecting our ideals.

The fans are unique in that they encourage and support the team at all times and even travel all over Europe to be able to be everywhere and I think you don’t often see that in Europe.

TIGHT BOND AND PASSION

What I love the most about Union Berlin is the community and the passion for the club. Union Berlin is a grassroots club which is very proud of its heritage and history.

They consider themselves a club with a fighting and survivor spirit as they have struggled a lot throughout their history and they have always overcome tough times by sticking together and uniting for the love of the club and what it stands for.

It’s remarkable to see this tight bond and passion for a club and that the people who attend the games really love the club and everything it stands for.

I think something in today’s football that isn’t common and people aren’t used to is to, is to trust in the process and give things time, be it players or coaches.

That is something that is clear at FC Union Berlin, but something that isn’t understood perhaps at other clubs.

Union Berlin does not break the market with an expensive signing, instead, they have a clear philosophy to develop players and give places to the young players that were trained at the club. This is something that all Union Berlin fans understand and recognise.

THE WAYS OF UNION BERLIN

Being a Union Berlin fan is definitely more than just football! Its a strong sense of belonging and pride for your club, where you come from and for what your club stands for.

On a personal level I am a quite new Union Fan, but the passion and unity and respect from all the fans is what makes me love it.

This is a club with a fighting spirit and fans who are passionate about football and about supporting their club, for me passion is always important and being by your team no matter what.

Union Berlin has also become a home away from home for many Latin american and foreign fans who live football in a very passionate and strong way and who live in Berlin. For me this is also important because it shows that the community and their values transcend and that anyone in anytime can become a part of it, you just have to understand the values and ways of Union Berlin.