8 Nov, 2024

November, Flood light and Freiburg at Stadion an der Alten Försterei

Report by Arnfinn Kjos Eduardsen

For the third time in a row, I have a ticket for the home game against Freiburg. In the spring of 2023, we won 4-2 in a match that was crucial for us to play in the Champions League. In May 2024, we managed a 2-1 win and secured our place in the Bundesliga. For those who remember my travelogue from the match in the spring, I described the extreme nervousness before the game.

This time the situation is quite different. We are in the upper part of the table and have not lost a home game yet! The only thing that remains the same is that the day in Adlershof starts with scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast, for me and a guy from Birmingham. Additionally, I got a ticket for Kjersti from the Seamen's Church in Berlin. She has often hinted that a visit to Alte Försterei was high on her wish list. I usually replied that it was nearly impossible, but this time it worked out.

My first visits to the Seamen's Church (as a humanist) were over 6 years ago. Back then, Rune Jarstein and his family often visited, and I perceived the church as a Hertha bastion. As a Unioner, I was quite alone. That is not the case today, absolutely not!

Since the match against Freiburg is a late Friday game, Kjersti, Josh, and I have agreed to get some food before the game. In Wassermanstrasse (where I live), there is a small Italian restaurant. It looks incredibly simple and has only 20 seats (Rosticceria San Leone). If you peek inside, you wouldn't think it's a place where you need to reserve a table, but it is. It can get packed!

Dressed in Union clothes, we enter the place and enjoy the food. From there, it's a tram ride of 5 stops to Köpenick. Since Kjersti has a ticket for sector 4, we use the entrance furthest south for safety. (But of course, we have prepared that we all stand in our usual spot). Therefore, no Hauptman for us this time.

In sector 3, we meet everyone else, and today we are many! Before the match, Frederik Rønnow is awarded the prize for Unioner of the Year – and it might have motivated him for a great performance in today's game!

The match started best for Freiburg, they had great opportunities to score, especially in the first half. In the 21st minute, they were awarded a penalty. But the Unioner of the Year showed once again that penalties can be saved.

In the second half, we hung much better in the game and had several good shots on goal. But Freiburg also had a good goalkeeper.

The match ends 0-0. After the game, we cheer on the team as usual before we walk in the sea of people to Bahnhofstrasse – and bus 164 home to Adlershof. We say goodbye to Kjersti who has experienced something she thought was almost impossible. Josh gets to bed in record time – a morning flight departing from BER at 06:10 on Saturday morning awaits!

Eisern!