By Sebastian Karkos
Very important victory! The Iron can continue to dream of staying in the Europa League. After beating Braga 1-0, the Union now have everything in their own hands to defend second place at Saint-Gilloise next Thursday.
As in the 1-0 win against Malmö, however, Union needs the help of the video referee. Again Robin Knoche safely converts a penalty (68th).
The scorer: “Now we have our final.” Defender colleague Diogo Leithe says: “It was a difficult game, but we did our job and won.”
The game starts slowly. Only Thorsby’s header, which misses about a meter, is the first goal approach (30th). Frederik Rönnow followed up Hortas’ shot (32′). Ruiz’s shot misses (36′). Christopher Trimmel heads the ball (40′) – that’s all it takes.
Robin Knoche coldly converts the hand penalty to a 1-0 lead Photo: Andreas Gora/dpa
The game drags on. That’s why the Union fans celebrate loudly themselves. But what the Köpenickers can do, the guest fans can do for a long time.
The 250 Braga supporters sing and jump, some of them shirtless. After all, it’s still a mild 16 degrees.
Union’s Morten Thorsby gets a header, but fails at the Braga keeper Photo: Andreas Gora/dpa
In the course of the second half it is clear: Union must risk more. And still you need the help of the video referee.
64 minutes: Haberer crosses from the right and the ball bounces off Fabiano’s arm. The game continues. The ball goes out. But instead of a throw-in, referee Pawson from England interrupts the game – because video referee Attwell reports from Switzerland. Because of handball. Pawson checks the scene and actually gives a penalty. Lucky for Union.
Curious: The Union fans sing “And you’re destroying our sport.” Knoche doesn’t care. The defense chief hammers the ball into the left corner (68th) – the decision!
Union’s Morten Thorsby fouls Braga’s Al Musrati and is then shown a yellow card Photo: STEFANIE LOOS/AFP