Dominique Heintz in a duel with his former teammate Taiwo Awoniyi Photo: City Press
From BZ/dpa
Bundesliga club 1. FC Union Berlin celebrated a victory at the unofficial farewell game by ex-striker Taiwo Awoniyi and the dress rehearsal for the start of the competitive game.
The Köpenickers won the friendly against Premier League club Nottingham Forest 1-0 (1-0) on Saturday evening. In front of 15,467 spectators at the home stadium An der Alten Försterei, Awoniyi’s successor Jordan Siebatcheu scored the decisive goal for Union in the 36th minute. The American scored for the first time ever in preparation for his new club.
Union goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow intercepts a cross Photo: City Press
The success was deserved against a rather weak opponent. Union left room for improvement. City rivals Hertha BSC lost 3-1 to Nottingham on the island on Wednesday. For Union, the game was the dress rehearsal for the appearance in the first round of the DFB Cup on August 1 at fourth division Chemnitzer FC.
Before the game, Taiwo Awoniyi was bid farewell by Captain Trimmel (left), President Zingler and Manager Ruhnert Photo: City Press
Nottingham came on with Awoniyi in the opening 70 minutes. The top scorer was only transferred from the Köpenickers to the island at the end of June for a fee of around 20 million euros. Before the game, the Nigerian was bid farewell by President Dirk Zingler and professional football managing director Oliver Ruhnert and celebrated by the fans of both teams.
The iron ran on with a mourning ribbon for the deceased football idol Uwe Seeler.