“The dream of 1. Liga remains real. Thank you to EVERYONE in the club!”–Ultras’ banner on the Gegengerade

Before this game we had never beaten the VfB Stuttgart in 5 previous outings. Yet statistics lie, because we all know that’s strictly not true, is it? Because 2 of those games were ties, which, in sum total, amounted to one of the most glorious victories in Union’s half-century of existence. It looked something like this:

So this game was more of a formalization of what we’ve already done, namely, sent the Neuberliner back to Prenzlberg, where they don’t really belong, but drive up rents anyway.

But what a game! On the field, Trimmi was predictably clutch, and was certainly our MVP on the day. Grischa is really gathering steam and scoring, and it was great to see Petar Musa score—he’s more than earned it. Of course, Max missed, but for the man who is our leading goalscorer, I think that can be forgiven. I suspect he’s the angriest about it out of all of us.

But just as important as what happened on the field was what happened outside of it. It’s slowly becoming clear that we won’t let ourselves be held any longer by the slowly weakening grip of this disgusting pandemic. We’ve always been there—the weekly banners, the occasional pyro, the now-common chants from the Wald—and now it starts to feel like the end is in sight. The stadium experience is the kernel of what it means to be an Unioner, and what felt like a narrow toehold is now expanding as spring is upon us and we push the disease back.

So we’ve got to keep pushing. Because the war is never won until it’s over. And because even as this pandemic is mastered, other battles loom. The DFB has, under cover of this tragedy, continued to roll back our rights as fans, and as soon as Covid is overcome, we must continue to seek justice for soccer as we know and love it. After all, it’s insane that the database of “violent soccer fans” maintained by the German police has inexplicably grown during a time when fan activity is at an all time low. As fans who want to stand up for our community, we’ve got our work cut out for us.

But all that will come. Right now, our great battle, and great promise, is a return to the stadium. And not at 25% capacity. And not without the away fans. No, we should not satisfy ourselves with partial victory. This pandemic is a total war, and we must not rest until we have won total victory. So for the love of God or money, get your shot as soon as you can!

People talk about how the pandemic changes us, but the bonds of true friendship stretch across time and distance, and I have no doubt that they will swiftly rekindle over a few beers and brats at the shack we might have accidentally partially torched (oops). Even that show of pyrotechnic demonstrates our unconditional will to return. Yes, (minimal) damage was done, and that’s regrettable, but as Oliver Ruhnert himself said, there has to be understanding. We believe in the club, and just as importantly, we need the it more than ever after so long without it. And so we’ll find a way to make it, one way or the other.

Of course, fellowship doesn’t sell. That’s why the announcers ignored the Ultras’ banner thanking the entire club for an amazing season, preferring instead to talk about upcoming contract negotiations. Lord knows we love our Fußballgötter, and as much as I will be crushed if we can’t keep Trimmi, the club can never be reduced to a collection of individual fates. Caring too much about one particular person or the other puts us on the treacherous path, and as each fan imagines him or herself not as a member of a club and community but a manager willing to splurge on ever flashier players, we lose sight of each other and the club and suddenly it’s no longer the Alte Försterei but the Amazon Arena and every corner kick is sponsored by Deutsche Bank.

But that seems unlikely. For now, I’m just happy to be where we are. Picked to be relegated for the second year in a row, we’re within range of a European spot, spring has begun, and an end to this terrible scourge feels within our grasp. So let’s all make that last, final push so that when our next—third in a row!—season in the Bundesliga kicks off, it’ll be with us there, scarves held high, as Nina Hagen’s strident tones echo across Köpenick, and we rock the Liga one more time.