1. FC Union Berlin conceded a late goal at Halmstads to go down 2-1 in the second match of the Baltic Sea Cup.

Emil Tot-Wikström curled home a fine opener for the hosts on 65 minutes, but Maximilian Somnitz took his chance from the substitute's bench to bring Union back on level terms. However, with three minutes to play, Wikström bagged all three points for the Swedish club with another excellent finish from the left side of the box.

Organised by the Danish Football Federation, the Baltic Sea Cup is an international tournament, which sees clubs from across Europe compete over four matches. Union can select players U21 — a large were picked from our U19 Bundesliga squad — and three first-team players. Both Hertha Berlin and Union Berlin are representatives of Germany, whilst Pogon Szczecin compete from Poland. Halmstads are Union’s opponents from Sweden and there are three teams from Denmark: Nordsjaelland, Copenhagen and Aalborg.

Sebastian Bönig, the first-team assistant coach, led the travelling party in Sweden. He lined up with squad players Lennard Maloney, Julius Kade and Maurice Opfermann Arcones, whilst Laurenz Dehl was also given a starting place. Fresh after signing his first professional deal, Leo Oppermann wore Union’s yellow goalkeeping shirt between the sticks. The Swedish team started brightly, but Union made a better impression towards the end of the half. In the final play before the break, the ball broke to Kade but the former Hertha youngster couldn’t hit the net from close range.

Bönig, who is joined by U19 coach Andre Vilk and the academy’s Andre Hofschneider, freshened up the side for the second half with four changes — John Liebelt, Tim Maciejewski, Omar Hajjaj and Malick Sanogo were given the nod. The Köpenick club dominated the first quarter of the second half without finding the breakthrough. A shot from Hajjaj at the edge of the box ricocheted through the crowded box but eventually cleared. Somnitz took over on the left-hand side after the hour mark, but two minutes later, Wikström cut on to his right foot and fired past Oppermann.

Seconds before Ferhat Dasgin was introduced from the bench, substitute Somnitz's passed up an opportunity at the back post. But the attacker wouldn't be denied with 10 minutes left as he added to his solitary goal in the U17 Bundesliga, with a well-taken finish from the left corner of the box to level the scores. Halmstads took full advantage of their last attacking move in the 87th minute with Sweden U16 international Wikström firing the winner, a right-foot shot as he cut in from the left flank.

Next month, Union will play Aalborg in Denmark before completing the tournament on November 26 at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei against Copenhagen.