1. FC Union Berlin's first pre-season friendly ended in victory with Urs Fischer's team beating Energie Cottbus 3-1 in front of 523 spectators at the Stadion der Freundschaft.

Even a small group of supporters made an important difference in the opening exchanges. Florian and Felix Brügmann of Energie Cottbus caused a problem for Union's defence but the later shot wide of Andreas Luthe's target. The former Augsburg goalkeeper was one of four new signings in Fischer's starting line-up alongside Sebastian Griesbeck, Niko Gießelmann and Marius Bülter who made his transfer from 1. FC Magdeburg a permanent deal. Berkan Taz started in attack after scoring 11 goals in 22 league games on loan at Cottbus last season, while Tim Maciejewski featured after stepping up from the U19s this summer. Neven Subotic turned the ball home after a scramble on 26 minutes to give the visitors the lead, which had been coming before the cooling break. 

The wave of substitutions were saved for the interval and two new faces were given the chance to wear Union colours for the first time. Nico Schlotterbeck and Cedric Teuchert made their debuts, while Florian Hübner, Christopher Lenz, Grischa Prömel, Lars Dietz, Jakob Busk and John Liebelt added minutes under their belts. On 59 minutes, Prömel worked his way into the box superbly and set up Taz who scored against his former team-mates. Robert Andrich was brought down with about 13 minutes left and Marius Bülter stepped up to convert from the penalty spot. The three-goal advantage was cut to two when Marcel Hoppe scored, but the club from Köpenick had completed the hard work before returning to the capital this evening.

The pre-season preparations continue next week with a double-header at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei against Würzburger Kickers and Dynamo Dresden. Both matches are being held behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 restrictions currently in place.