One of the feel-good stories of the new European football season is the appearance of Union Berlin in the Bundesliga.
It’s the first time the club has reached the German top flight. They become the first club from East Berlin to have done so.
The club was formed in its current guise in 1966, but can trace its lineage way back to 1906.
It’s a team with working-class roots, and a strong work ethic has long been a hallmark of the club. Even promotion was gained the hard way, via a two-legged playoff against Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart.
Their home ground, Stadion An der Alten Försterei, dates back to 1920 and recent renovations were done mainly by club volunteers. In all, there are only slightly more than 3000 seats in the stadium that holds 22,012.
For Union’s first home game in the Bundesliga, the official attendance of 22,467 exceed the official capacity by 455 people. How did this come about?
Fans are the heart and soul of Union Berlin and it was literally the lost souls of the club that were responsible for the crowd figure.
In a promotion known as ‘Endlich dabei’ or ‘finally there’, fans brought photographs of deceased relatives who had not lived to see the club’s debut in the Bundesliga. These extra fans were counted in the official attendance.
Perhaps there was too much emotion on opening day, as the club went down 4-0 to RB Leipzig. With that match out of the way, Swiss coach Urs Fischer and the club are bound to roll up their sleeves and get to work.
Union Berlin fans show photos of fellow supporters who passed away before the East German club were finally promoted to the Bundesliga this season. (Andreas Gora/Getty Images)
The Union Berlin story is a vindication of an open football pyramid system, but as it stands, this can’t happen in Australia.
One of the initial moves towards a more mature Australian football structure was the recent establishment of the independent A-League.
It flew beneath the radar somewhat. An acquaintance of mine tipped me off about two A-League coaches having dinner at a Double Bay restaurant. A subsequent check confirmed that this was one of the initial meetings of the new body.
Some suggestions have come out of these meetings. There has been talk of expansion to 16 clubs and of a playoff between the premiers and champions to open the season.
Already I’ve heard people deriding these proposals. Part of the complaints concerning FFA’s running of the competition was that there were no ideas at all. It’s early days for an independent A-League, and we could do with cutting it a bit of slack.
Of course there will be self interest. That comes with the territory. As football fans, we hope the self interest of clubs will align with what’s best for Australian football. Time will tell.
Speaking of fans, nothing gets the blood worked up more than when a VAR decision goes against your own team, particularly in the dying seconds of a game.
In my case, it was a decision to disallow a match-winning goal for Manchester City against Tottenham last weekend.
The goal looked perfectly good at initial viewing. No-one was disputing it. Then a VAR review picked up the faintest of hand-balls by a City player. There was no advantage gained and it looked completely accidental.
Gabriel Jesus winner for Manchester City over Tottenham was taken off him by VAR. (Oli Scarff / AFP)
What’s at fault here, VAR or the new interpretations of the hand-ball?
The new reading is that any hand-ball in the immediate lead up to a goal, whether accidental or not, is a breach and the goal must be disallowed.
FIFA says this interpretation is on the principle that it is unjust for a goal to be scored when the hand is involved. I don’t buy that.
It appears to be a creation of VAR. The technology can conclusively rule whether the ball has been touched but cannot in all cases rule about intent. Only a human can do that.
In the VAR world, taking out the human element levels the playing field. Is that really what we want? Or am I just sore about my team getting dudded?
Voice of Reason
Roar Rookie
I've been to the Stadion and it is a top-class stadium - way better and safer than Subiaco Oval was at the same time!
Voice of Reason
Roar Rookie
Yes, such as it was with the Stasi-sponsored Dynamo being the Berlin side that won every year. Stealing best players, notoriously bent referees etc.
William Doughty
Roar Rookie
they did pay an entrance fee
William Doughty
Roar Rookie
I would like to see Perth glory do something similar to the endlich dabei in glory's first Asian champions league game, and maybe when an ex nsl club eg Souths become an a league club
Onside
Guest
Hi Paul, the FFA cup is a sleeper that will one day kick the game along in Oz One game tonight sees Brisbane Olympic host Adelaide (at Brisbane Strikers stadium lighting issues). One of the oldest clubs in QLD v an A-League heavyweight in the final 16 of FFA cup. Theres not a lot of media interest of course, but I reckon one day , might be another 20 or 30 years, the FFA cup and these sort of FFA contests will be a big stories.
Nick Symonds
Guest
"Union Berlin's lesson for the A-League" - Counting photos of dead people as fans could really boost the A-League's attendance figures.
Jim
Roar Rookie
Its broader than just the EPL - its across UEFA is it not now the new handball interpretation? I actually don't have an issue with the handball call - irrespective of how harsh it was (I am a city fan BTW)- much like the offside calls of '1mm offside' too - as long as it is consistently applied and every case of those rules being breached is picked up by VAR. The offside one is a bit problematic however, as the decisions are so tight that one frame someone might look onside, the next offisde - and if its going to get down to such close margins, then it still leaves a window for 'interpretaion'. I also don't like how assistant referees will basically be encouraged 'not to stop play' with offsides unless patently clear - what is the point of them in that case? On the point of VAR itself, City have not had a good run with it so far - but no doubt will get some benefits from it at some stage. Only have to look back to the QF of last seasons Champions League to see where they were on the 'unlucky end' of two VAR '50/50' moments. The Llorente handball which was given as a goal (though now would be definitely not a goal), and the offside call at the end. Not saying they were wrong, but when City get some VAR related luck as some stage, I don't think it'll be unfair to say it was due to them haha - if we believe in the old 'swings and roundabouts' argument! I don't think the close goals last season are really that similar to be honest, as goal line technology does not involve human interaction in the decision making process. It is technology driven - whereas VAR does involve human involvement, even for the most objective applications for handballs/offsides. I'm not so sure about broader subjective VAR decisions though - the real talking point out of the City-Spurs game should have been the rugby tackle on Rodri that wasn't given as a penalty. I would say out of 20 referees, 18 would give that on first glance. Its ok to take an 'umpire's call' approach on truly marginal ones, but I find it pretty hard pressed fro someone to mount a strong argument that it shouldn't be a penalty. As close to a 'clear and obvious' error as you'd see - my fear being, if they aren't going to call back ones like that, then what is the point of VAR outside of Offsides/Handballs from attackers in the box. The huge issue there is its again just going to throw in more interpretation into the mix. In the end - all VAR will mean in those circumstances is another one (or two or 10 or whatever) sets of eyes playing 'hidden referee'. Not sure its a better outcome.
AGO74
Guest
The EPL have taken a black/white rule on handball in leadup to goal in much the same way as offside. That is, even if it is minor and/or inconsequential they are ruling it out. I can understand the grievances of Man City fans as it may not appear to be in spirit of game but in another way, I support it. Where the VAR is at its most controversial is in subjective items and a goal from a handball - even if slight - can lead to subjective views. At what point do you go from 'spirit of game' to 'subjective debate'. Hence the black/white determination. So long as they are consistent in use of this then so be it. City fans might point to that goal as unlucky but it goes the other way too - there was a game in the lead-in to the title last year where they won 1-0 courtesy of a goal which technology showed crossing the ball line by < 2cm. In the pre technology days, it'd likely have not been given as defending teams usually got benefit of the doubt. Under that scenario City would not have won the title. I suppose if you are going to have technology you've just got to be consistent and their defined use of handball in much the same way as offside does remove the subjectivity of it. As for the actual subjective VAR decisions - ie tackles in the box - the EPL refs have generally got it right so far from what I can see. Though it is only 2 round in!
Griffo
Roar Guru
Requiring both competitions seems the compromise but would be hard for NPL clubs if 'reserve' A-League sides cramp out the space for NPL sides in a single second division if money financing the division is an issue. I think A-L youth are included in that idea as the current A-L squad limit couldn't make a full reserve side without youth players. Obviously this would change if A-L squad sizes increase (without more preference for youth players filling out these ranks) which may be the APFCA reasoning for not having to pay for extra players warming the pine or grandstands. A youth league is needed, separately and running alongside any league, to finalise development. If NPL clubs meet criteria - and they want to be in the second division - then they should be given preference I believe. The main idea of the second division is to bridge the gap between professional A-League tier and the semi-pro NPL tier and to provide further pathways and space for players, coaches, and support staff that isn't available in the A-L. Some NPL sides are ready, as some NPL2 sides are ready to move up with the natural shuffle a vacuum left by those NPL sides would create. Having a mainly reserve A-L team second division won't help the NPL sides. Like a youth league, a reserve league might need to run alongside the A-League, leaving the second division a professional 'Championship' for NPL clubs...
Andy
Guest
Some good points re fan culture. I have no interest in Australian professional sports teams while they are sterile "franchises" part of a protected league, and could potentially be moved cities if the controlling body deems fit. Would be great to see some grassroots clubs from the NPL eventually earn promotion to the A-league.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
Trouble is they didn’t approve and build world class stadiums in the first instance. Back in the 80’s when visiting the SFS and Parramatta stadiums I commented on how flawed the stadium designs were, cramped, lack of concourse, toilet facilities that were inadequate, no human traffic flow etc etc and that is nothing to do with the whole issue of protection from the weather! A whole different debate....ANZ is pretty ordinary in some ways too........I’m hoping BankWest thoroughly redeems a few people and organizations!
Franko
Guest
Imagine the flap Australian health and safety figures would be in if fans helped construct a stadium here!!!! In this country we only build "world class stadia" through generous payments to behemoths like lendlease (then rip them down a few years later and rebuild for purpose of the day) It's an economic stimulus I guess.....
Evan Askew
Guest
Were they ever in the East German top flight?
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
A tad unruly, counting dead relatives in the crowd figures. Maybe they should make them pay an entrance fee first. I'll watch with interest how the Independent A League administration solves the second division issue. As I understand it, the AAFC (NPL club association) wants the second division to be NPL clubs, ultimately linking with p/r to the A League. Whereas the APFCA (the A League clubs association) seem to want a league for their reserve teams and youth sides. Personally, I'd have thought both are required, the latter with an age limit but that may be too much in the short term. Let's hope they can resolve any differences they may have.
Voice of Reason
Roar Rookie
As a paid-up member of Union Berlin, thanks for mentioning them! I’m struggling to see the A-League link though. As a Spurs fan, I agree that the current handball rule is against the spirit of football and that the current application of VAR is damaging fan enjoyment. On the other hand, so far it’s worked pretty well for Spurs v Man City and with your resources, we need all the help we can get.