It is fairly straightforward to divide the U17’s 2017/18 Bundesliga Nord/Nordost campaign into two parts: the first and second half of the season. Union’s second-oldest youth team almost had two completely different personalities during the season, with one significantly more successful than the other.

After two years scrapping it out as one of the relegation candidates for the league, the goal for the season was to secure a top 10 position and enjoy a relatively stress-free campaign away from the lower reaches of the table. The majority of the squad moved up to the U17s from the U16s, who ply their trade in the Regionalliga, one division below. The difference in class was clear for all to see at the start of the campaign; the season only really got underway after an impressive home win against eventual league champions RB Leipzig on Matchday 7.

The win seemed to really put wind into the boys‘ sails and from then on they could hardly be stopped. A total of 13 points from the next six games demonstrated not only the technical ability but also the mental strength of the group. The run of form was built on defensive solidity as only five goals were conceded in the build-up to Christmas.

Scoring goals also became less of a problem for the Red and Whites. With 23 goals from the first 13 games of the season, Union were one of the most dangerous attacking outfits in the league during the first half of the campaign. The problems came against the other attack-minded teams; the capital city slickers conceded four or more goals eight times during the season. Either way 2017 ended in very positive fashion with 20 points to Union’s name in the table; the best start to a season in the U17’s Bundesliga history.

The second half of the campaign showed the other side to Union’s game. In the league nothing came off and four points since the turn of the year speaks volumes for the problems the boys from Köpenick faced. A short summary would look something like this: too many goals conceded. During the second half of the season, Union’s goalie had to pick the ball out of the net 38 times, far too many for a team looking to pick up points and continue their assault on the upper echelons of the table. Unsurprisingly the tally of 38 goals conceded was the highest in the league since Christmas.

Excuses abound; injuries and players called up to the U19s certainly didn’t help the U17s‘ cause and led to a restricted choice in terms of players available. Having said that, the performances in the last half of the campaign did not reflect the potential in the squad. The one possible bright spot was the debuts of a number of U16 players and the positive impressions they left behind; without doubt a good omen for 2018/19.  

Despite problems in the Bundesliga, the boys from Köpenick had fewer problems in the Axel-Lange-Cup within the confines of the capital city. A 5-0 win in the semi-final at SV Empor set up a grudge match in the final with rivals Hertha BSC. Till Musckowski’s 77th minute winner in the final didn’t just secure the title of `Champions of Berlin‘ for the second year in a row, it also served as a timely reminder of Union’s East German Cup win exactly 50 years ago, and how the memories of that day still resonate half a century later. All in all a season of ups and downs, with the cup win a definite highlight from a disappointing post-Christmas period.

The facts: 11th position, 24 points, 38 goals

We would like to thank the players‘ parents and fans who came along to support the team in strong numbers both home and away. The encouragement during tricky periods was rewarded by the shared joy when the team played well; the boys couldn’t have done it without your support!