1. FC Union Berlin delivered an outstanding performance to beat Hamburg 2-0 at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.

Both goals came in the second half with Robert Zulj firing the home side ahead within the first minute of the restart. Grischa Prömel's brilliant solo-effort secured the points with six minutes to go and secure an important scalp for the Köpenick club.

The win ends a difficult run of five games in the 2.Bundesliga without a win.

1. FC Union Berlin: Gikiewicz; Trimmel, Parensen, Friedrich, Reichel; Schmiedebach, Prömel, Zulj, Ryerson (Kroos 77); Abdullahi (Polter 73), Andersson

Hamburg: Pollersbeck; Lacroix, Van Drongelen, Janjicic; Douglas Santos, Jung (Lasogga 57), Vagnoman (Hwang 45), Hunt; Narey, Jatta, Özcan (Wintzheimer 76)

Urs Fischer rang the changes to the side following last week’s 1-1 draw at Greuther Fürth. Florian Hübner was unable to shake off an injury this week and with Nicolai Rapp suspended, he was replaced by the experienced Michael Parensen in central defence. Elsewhere, Julian Ryerson was given a start in midfield, while Robert Zulj and Sebastian Andersson were handed starting places. Joshua Mees, Sebastian Polter and Felix Kroos dropped to the substitute’s bench.

Urs Fischer rang the changes to the side following last week’s 1-1 draw at Greuther Fürth. Florian Hübner was unable to shake off an injury this week and with Nicolai Rapp suspended, he was replaced by the experienced Michael Parensen in central defence. Elsewhere, Julian Ryerson was given a start in midfield, while Robert Zulj and Sebastian Andersson were handed starting places. Joshua Mees, Sebastian Polter and Felix Kroos dropped to the substitute’s bench.

Union brought intent and purpose on to the pitch from the first minute. Suleiman Abdullahi powered down the right-hand side and cut a fine cross into the area, but Andersson shot wide. Although Hannes Wolf’s side intended to build up from the back, Union had them penned in early doors. But the northern Germans came into the game, creating a chance of their own on 17 minutes. Aaron Hunt was presented with a one-v-one situation from the right-side, but Rafal Gikiewicz intervened. Union’s Polish keeper stepped to the fore again on the half hour mark, saving well from Bakary Jatta who had found his way into the penalty box.

Hamburg introduced Hee-chan Hwang at the break, but their game plan went out the window inside a minute. Abdullahi put pressure on Gideon Jung, picking his pocket in the process and setting up Zulj, who slotted home with composure from the edge of the penalty box. The tide turned for the Köpenick club as Union Berlin became extremely dominant from middle-to-front. Parensen was inches away from tapping home a knockdown from Andersson after 53 minutes. The Swede’s aerial ability opened up good situations on a number of occasions — and he was unlucky not to score with 20 minutes left. Zulj combined intelligently with Ken Reichel on the wing, the left-back driving the ball into the six-yard-box but Andersson’s slide was perhaps less than an inch away from making contact. Both Abdullahi and Ryerson were rewarded for their hard work throughout the match with a standing ovation from the home supporters. There’s not many ways that Union could have sealed the points in more emphatic fashion with six minutes left — Prömel carried the ball into space and his great strike cannoned off the post and went into the net, sparking incredible scenes across the three sides of the ground occupied by Union fans. Hamburg were little threat in the final stages of the half as Fischer's side managed the game expertly to a close.

Union's push to finish in the promotion places this season will continue at Darmstadt next Sunday afternoon, with kick-off at 13:30.