When the ultras from Hertha BSC and 1. FC Union Berlin meet at the derby on Saturday, fan researcher Jonas Gabler expects anticipation for the game, but also uncertainty about the situation.
“The derby will be great, but the whole thing is also a bit like a black box: Who is actually appearing in the curve again? With what claims?” Gabler told the “Märkische Allgemeine” (Thursday).
The ultra culture is always on the move and may have changed over the years of the pandemic.
The Bundesliga game on Saturday (6.30 p.m./ in the BZ live ticker) could be played in an Olympic Stadium packed with a good 74,000 fans. It would be the first time in a game in the first division between Hertha and Union.
“The last direct encounter between the two Ultra scenes was in 2019. And in the past two years, the game days have ceased to be constant highlights, as shared experiences of the fan scenes,” said the researcher.
At that time there were fan riots from both sides in the An der Alten Försterei stadium. However, Gabler also said: “For ultras, the derby can be a nice occasion to celebrate the return with elements typical of the scene.” The joy of the return is certainly great.
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Michael Gassen, spokesman for the Berlin police, told the newspaper: “It is a high-risk game with great explosiveness. We are still warned about the first Bundesliga derby and are sensitized to the situation.” However, the police are in good spirits that “there will be a predominantly peaceful and atmospheric derby.”
