By Matthew Koch
Union is also marching in Europe!
The Bundesliga first beat leaders Union St. Gilloise 1-0 in the decisive last group game and thus moved into the knockout playoffs (February 16 and 23, 2023) in second place.
It’s the fourth 1-0 win for the Euro minimalists. Amazing, now the Köpenickers can hope for duels with giants like Barcelona or Juventus Turin, who come down from the Champions League in the Europa League as third.
Christopher Trimmel in a header duel with Simon Adingra from Union Saint-Gilloise Photo: Bruno Fahy/dpa
Union makes everything clear in the 6th minute. Sheraldo Becker lifts the ball from the right into the sixteen. At the penalty spot, Sven Michel put his foot out and pushed the thing into the bottom right corner – 0:1.
Around 50 Eisern fans celebrate the Union triumph live in the stadium – although that is officially forbidden.
For security reasons, the Belgian administration had forbidden Unionern from entering Leuven. The club and three fans sued against it in an urgent procedure – unsuccessfully. The Belgian Council of State, the country’s highest administrative court, as of the lawsuit.
Contrary to the opinion of the Belgian Advocate General, the court saw a danger to public order after the Union riots at the game in Malmö.
Great chance for Sheraldo Becker, who fails because of the Belgian goalkeeper Photo: YVES HERMAN/REUTERS
Nevertheless, around 50 Unioners outsmart the ban and come to the stadium. Curious: In the 78th minute they evaporate under pressure from the stewards, stow away their fan paraphernalia and disappear into the stadium. Numerous other Unioners who had traveled in vain watch the game in pubs in the surrounding area.
Shock after halftime: Goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow stays in the dressing room with a thigh injury, Lennart Grill comes in for the goal. During his first fist defence, the reserve man punches right next to it (49th). The Belgians increase the pressure – and Grill excels, diving down the left and parrying a Nieuwkoop volley (59′).
On the other side, Becker fails alone because of goalkeeper Moris (61st).
Knoche clears a big chance with his chest almost on the line, no handball, no penalty (88th). If Union had conceded, they would have dropped back to third place and the Conference League.
But in the end, Union celebrates the biggest Euro triumph in the club’s history with around 50 fans.