It seems strange, somehow to have things this way around - the Bundesliga clubs haven't even completed the first half of the season yet -  but 1. FC Union Berlin will play their first friendly match of their still fresh winter preparations on Wednesday, 14.12.2022, against FC Hansa Rostock. Kick off at the Alte Försterei will be 16:00.

The opponents

The second-division team from the northern port have had a somewhat varied season so far. They started off with a defeat against FC Heidenheim and thus 15th place in the table, but in the following weeks were able to work their way up to sixth. Their only consistent has been their inconsistency, one could say.  They'd not gone more than two games without defeat so far this year until  a 1-1 draw with Nuremberg was followed by a creditable 1-0 win at home to Eintracht Braunschweig, taking them up to rest in ninth over the winter. 

The positives have largely been delivered by six-time-scorer, Kai Pröger, and the winger, Svante Ingelsson who's provided just as many assists. 

Still, at least it's not been boring. Jens Härtel (who many in Berlin will remember from his time on the touchlines at both Babelsberg and BAK) who had led Hansa from the Third to the Second Division in the 2020/21 season, was sacked after Matchday 15 and replaced by current coach Patrick Glöckner.

The reunion

For the Unioner, there will also be a reunion with one of their own on matchday. Rick van Drongelen, is currently on loan at Hansa, and has played nine games for them so far.

Service info

The stadium gates open at 15:00. The guest block is already sold out, with tickets for the home sections only available to Union members. Children up to the age of 12 are admitted free of charge, but require an appropriate free ticket. If you need tickets at short notice on match day, Members can purchase them on the door for €15 (standing) or €17 (seated).

As usual, Union will also provide information about the match via the club's own live ticker as well as in English on Twitter.