The Bundesliga team of 1. FC Union Berlin successfully completed the second test of the preparation and finish the Summer training camp presented by sonnenschutz.de with a 3:2 victory against FC Dynamo Kiev. Benedict Hollerbach scored the first goal of the game (14‘) before Kiev equalised before the break (34’). In the second half, Chris Bedia restored the lead (68‘), but the Ukrainians equalised again (83’). Jordan Siebatcheu scored the final goal in stoppage time to make it 3-2.
1. FC Union Berlin: Stein (46. Klaus) — Trimmel (46. Preu), Jaeckel (46. Doekhi), Vogt (46. Král), Leite (46. Ogbemudia), Gosens (46. Puchacz) — Haberer (46. Khedira), Tousart (46. Kemlein) — Skarke (46. Vertessen), Prtajin (46. Siebatcheu), Hollerbach (46. Bedia)
FC Dynamo Kyiv: Bushchan — Karavaiev, Malysh, Popov, Vivcharenko — Brazhko, Pikhalyonok, Kabayev, Voloshy — Buyalskyi, Vanat
Personnel: Head coach Bo Svensson was without a number of European Championship players against the Ukrainian record champions: Frederik Rönnow, András Schäfer, Josip Juranović and new signing László Bénes were unavailable. Alexander Schwolow, Jérôme Roussillon and Kevin Volland were also absent through injury.
Spectators: 648
Goals: 1:0 Hollerbach (14‘), 1:1 Vanat (34’)
Hollerbach takes the lead — Kyiv equalises
After the Eisernen were split into two training groups after breakfast, they worked on standard situations on the pitch. This was followed by lunch before the players travelled by bus to the match venue in Kematen.
With sunny weather in Kematen, the Eisernen had the ball in the opening minutes without getting much into the box. The FC Dynamo Kiev players were energetic but fair in their tackles. However, the Ukrainian team had the first chance to score in the test match when Vladyslav Vanat put the ball just wide of the Union goal (9′). Five minutes later, Robin Gosens was fouled in the opposition penalty area and the referee awarded a penalty. Benedict Hollerbach stepped up to take the spot-kick. The Kiev goalkeeper was initially able to keep it out before Hollerbach scored on the rebound.
After the first goal, nothing worth mentioning happened until the 25th minute, when the referee interrupted the game for a drink break due to the warm temperatures. After the brief interruption, the Eisernen had two chances to score through Ivan Prtajin and Tim Skarke, but both were blocked by the Dynamo defenders (30′). Shortly afterwards, however, Vanat scored the equaliser. After a corner kick that flew over everyone’s heads, the ball was played directly into the centre. Defender Denys Popov tried to pick it out with his heel, but Paul Jaeckel was able to clear on the line. However, Vanat was in the right place and only had to push the ball in from close range to make it 1:1 (34′). The Union side refused to let the equaliser change their plan and had the chance to take the lead again shortly before the break through Pratjin, whose header just missed the target. Shortly afterwards, the interval whistle sounded in Kematen.
Last minute goal in the second half
The Eisernen came out of the locker room with a drive on goal and immediately threated through Tymoteusz Puchacz and Yorbe Vertessen. The Belgian missed the Polish’s cross by a milimeter (46′). The Whites and Blues seemed to have set their sights higher and put the Köpenickers under pressure (52′). However, Union were able to break free and in the 55th minute, a counter-attack went through Vertessen. The winger had to turn away, but Chris Bedia was found on the edge of the penalty area after several passes. The man from the Ivory Coast took a powerful shot, but it was too central and the goalkeeper was able to save it. Just under a quarter of an hour later, Danilho Doekhi was not tackled consistently, allowing the defender to play a precise long ball past the entire Kiev team and set up Bedia. The left-footer kept his cool in front of goal and scored to make it 2:1 (68′).
In a quieter phase of the match, the Ukrainians struck again and equalised once more. After losing the ball, Dynamo quickly switched to the left flank, where substitute Samba Diallo finished off the move to make it 2:2 (83′). But it was the Eisernen team who scored the final goal: In stoppage time, the attacking line put pressure on the Dynamo defence and forced them to make a mistake. Jordan Siebatcheu was able to capitalise it and score the 3:2 winner (90′).
Voices after the game
Alex Král: ‘It was a very exhausting game with the warm temperatures and the dry pitch, but we did well overall. Even if we still want to improve in some areas, we’re pleased that we scored three goals and were able to incorporate some nice combinations into our game.’
‘It’s always nice to win games. Kiev plays Champions League qualifiers in a few days time and are already much further on in their preparations. But the boys put up a fight and rewarded themselves with a victory,’ said head coach Bo Svensson, summarising his thoughts after the test match and the week in Austria.
Plans for the coming days
The Eisernen will travel back to Berlin-Köpenick tomorrow to conclude their first training camp of the 2024/25 summer preparations in Längenfeld, Austria. After six intensive days, the Bundesliga players can expect a weekend off, after which Monday and Tuesday will also be training-free. Next Wednesday, all the players will meet again at An der Alten Försterei stadium when also the European Championship participants return from their holidays.
