The guest area is reduced. Means: More space for Union fans Photo: Matthew Koch
By Matthew Koch
The anticipation of the European Cup premiere in the Alte Försterei (Thursday, 6.45 p.m.) against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise is huge. President Dirk Zingler (58): “This is a special day for me. This closes a circle.”
In the fourth attempt after 1968 (ban from starting in the Cup Winners’ Cup), 2001 (2 UEFA Cup games in Jahn-Sportpark) and 2021 (4 x Conference League in the Olympic Stadium), Union is actually playing at home for the first time in the European Cup.
Zingler wrote to all 45,000 members on this celebratory occasion. The letter states, among other things: “For the first time in the more than 100-year history of our stadium, a European Cup match will take place in our home. Generations of unionists didn’t even dare to dream of it, but now the time has actually come.”
There have recently been many fan festivals in the Alte Försterei. Due to the stadium conversion, 2100 Union more can come to the home game today Photo: picture alliance/dpa
For the premiere, the Försterei will be enlarged, so to speak. Since Union only has to make 5 percent of the tickets available to guests at international level and only 600 fans come from Belgium, the home area on the Wuhle side was expanded and the guest block was reduced.
This means that 21,000 Union supporters can be there on Thursday.
The red entrance tower on the forest side received a fresh coat of red paint. Two huge welcome banners have been adorning the grandstand since Wednesday. It features the Europa League winners’ trophy and the logos of the three group opponents Saint-Gilloise, Braga and Malmö.
1.FC Union Berlin
Zingler paid close attention to the training of the pros and the renovation of the stadium. He could feel the excitement. He said, “It’s like a day before Christmas Eve.”
Now all that’s missing today is the gift giving!