Always eagerly anticipated, always decisive for the league: matches between Viktoria and Union Berlin are always a highlight. This away game was sold out early, with 1,500 spectators braving the scorching sun.
The importance of the game was clear on the pitch – as was the mutual respect. Union, like Viktoria, is aiming for promotion to the Bundesliga and has invested accordingly in a well-paid professional team.
Few Chances in the First Half
At the start, Viktoria had more of the game, applying early pressure so that Union struggled to get out of their own half. Danya Barsalona made several attempts from the right to find Kim Urbanek on the right or in the centre – but without success. The offensive play was too imprecise, and the attacks lacked clear ideas.
Union, on the other hand, played smart. They used small fouls to disrupt the flow of the game, pressed well, and often won second balls. As a result, the game was largely stagnant in midfield, with few chances for either side. Viktoria had a rare opportunity from a corner, with a shot just over the bar (17’).
Quick Free Kick Puts Union Ahead
Around the half-hour mark, Union grew bolder – and it paid off. Dina Orschmann initially missed the target with a shot from the right (26’), but shortly after, she scored the opening goal for Union. A long ball forward found Orschmann almost alone in attack. Anouk Dekker, playing her first game from the start, couldn’t stop her, and Orschmann’s lob over goalkeeper Inga Buchholz found the back of the net (27’).
After that, Viktoria seemed to lose their rhythm. Unable to create much from open play, they relied on set-pieces. Captain Marlies Sänger took a free kick from a good position on the left, but it went far wide (34’), and shortly after, Aylin Yaren also missed the target after another free kick (36’). With little success through the centre, Louise Trapp drove forward with pace on the right. Her shot was parried by Union goalkeeper Melanie Wagner, but her defensive teammates cleared the danger (39’).
Union Comes Out Stronger in the Second Half
In the second half, Viktoria needed a significant improvement – but unfortunately, it was Union who stepped up. The “Iron Ladies” pressed even earlier, showing excellent pressing and quickly creating chances through Nour Youssef (47’) and Athanasia Moraitou (49’). Viktoria only found their way back into the game around the hour mark. A great shot from Urbanek should have been the equaliser, but Union’s goalkeeper Wagner made a crucial save (65’). Viktoria keeper Buchholz was also called into action again, saving a free kick from Lisa Heiseler from the left (66’).
The game then gradually lost momentum, with frequent fouls on both sides causing constant interruptions. Towards the end, Viktoria gave it one last push, but it wasn’t enough. Sänger missed two chances to equalise, once shooting over the bar after a cross from the right (78’), and once hitting the crossbar (91’).
In the end, Union Berlin won the top match of the Regionalliga Nordost 1-0. The team from Köpenick now leads the table, ahead of Carl-Zeiss Jena II. Viktoria is in third place, one point behind Jena, level on points with Hertha BSC. In two weeks, Viktoria will face Hertha. Before that, the next home game is coming up. On Sunday, 24th September, newly-promoted Fortuna Dresden will visit the Stadion Lichterfelde.
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