Shit and Hell!

That was a tough one to lose. I don’t pretend to know a lot about the tactics of it all, but it seemed to me we lost on the basis of two very unlucky moments and a lack of offense. Happens. I think we all expected more based on our recent form, but if you take the long view—i.e. more than a single year, which is the only really appropriate way to view this—we’re still on a good course.

Interestingly, Christopher Lenz has gone a second game without a minute. I don’t think there’s much to say here. Hard to lose a guy like him who’s been with us for what feels like ages, but you can’t knock the man for trying to get that dollar (or Euro). That’s what happens when you make players good, yet have limited financial means. At the same time, it’s probably right from Urs to get the next man up going, as we’ll need him going forward.

Didn’t get a post off last week because of life reasons but otherwise a solid game. Not going to waste your time on my mediocre commentary…

Other than that, it’s been a rather bumpy start to the back end of the season, but no reason for panic. Yeah, it’s nice to sit in an international spot, but that only counts at the end of the season. In the meantime, club management seems to be clicking along as always. Dirk Zingler was absent from the Membership meeting for personal reasons, and we wish him all the best. He has created stability in the club, and if you look at our history—10 years in the 2. Liga, and countless near-misses on promotion—it just goes to show that stability is the best basis for long-term success, vs. throwing money and expecting a 180 degree turnaround (*cough Windhorst cough*).

Happily, because it’s Union, there’s a smattering of goings-on outside of the pitch where we can continue to make a difference. The most exciting of these? In honor of the 10-year anniversary of what may be the most legendary Union game, next to the Stromerzeugervernichtung, Torsten Mattuschka (Fußballgott) is not only auctioning a jacket on the Union-Zeughaus that none of us can afford…but more importantly, offering 0-Euro banknotes depicting his free-kick goal. These go for 5 Euro, and the proceeds go to a number of charitable organizations, including the Köpenick Children’s hospital, the Union handicap initiative Eisern Trotz Handicap, and the Dinopark Germendorf. Word even has it that there are a few signed ones to be had…If you’re interested, please reach out to us and we’ll try to help you get one. Anyway, never a boring moment with Union, and that’s how it should be!