Union Berlin starts with a highlight: 4-0 anniversary victory against Chemie!

Union Berlin starts with a highlight: 4-0 anniversary victory against Chemie!

On November 10, 2025, an exciting test match between 1. FC Union Berlin and Chemie Leipzig took place in the Alfred-Kunze-Sportpark in Leipzig. This match marked the 40th anniversary of the memorable relegation relegation of 1984, which initiated the first playoff to remain in the First League. Hundreds of Union fans traveled to Wittenberg on a regional train on a Saturday morning so as not to miss the encounter. The arrival at Leipzig Central Station went without incident with the police, which only increased the anticipation for the game. Many people then met up to ride bikes together through the parks on the way to the stadium.

A highlight of the day was a panel discussion in which former players from 1984 also took part. She remembered the atmosphere at the time and the challenges of finding accommodation in Berlin and ended with an urgent appeal to preserve fan culture. This discussion reflects the changing fan culture in football, which is moving from local fan clubs in working-class districts to an increasingly commercialized sport, as stadt-kurier.de explains.

A dazzling stadium experience

The test match, which started at 3:30 p.m., was characterized by an impressive atmosphere. Despite suboptimal weather protection and light rain, 4,999 spectators were in the stadium. Fans from both camps had light-up paraphernalia with them, which added to the colorful atmosphere. The stadium atmosphere was reminiscent of the Alte Försterei, the hometown of Union Berlin, and created a festive atmosphere that went far beyond the sporting competition.

On the pitch, 1. FC Union Berlin impressed not only with their style of play, but also with the goals that came quickly. Rani Khedira opened the scoring in the 32nd minute after a rebound, and just five minutes later Yorbe Vertessen increased the score to 2-0. Benedict Hollerbach put the trio together in the 49th minute before new signing Ivan Prtajin made it 4-0 in the 77th minute. Coach Bo Svensson fielded a mix of new and familiar players, including young talents like David Preu and Oluwaseun Ogbemudia, who also fit in well with the team. After the game, Svensson was positive about his team's performance and further progress during the season {fc-union-berlin.de}.

Fan culture in transition

The current football fan culture is an exciting topic. Once locally rooted, it has changed significantly over time through commercialization and the introduction of new concepts such as VIP lounges and exclusive fan events. The 1970s and 1980s saw a rise in ticket prices that excluded many core fans, leading to the emergence of the Ultra movement in the 1990s. This movement is characterized by passionate and often radical support, but is also faced with challenges such as violence and vandalism, as stadt-kurier.de details.

Today's football consumption is also changing due to the internet and social media. Supporter groups actively promote equality and tolerance in society, which promotes a strong awareness of discrimination and other social issues in the stadium. Despite these challenges, passionate support for the clubs and community involvement remains constant and invigorating.

The test match between 1. FC Union Berlin and Chemie Leipzig is a wonderful example of how sporting events are not just competitions, but can also strengthen fan culture and community.