SV SANDHAUSEN (Hardtwaldstadion)

2.BUNDESLIGA, SV SANDHAUSEN 0-0 VfL BOCHUM, ATTENDANCE:5,465

After collapsing into bed before midnight, I managed wake up and drag myself onto the 0827 train from Dusseldorf to Sandhausen, which involved a change at Mannheim.

It was a raucous carriage as it was full of Werder Bremen fans en-route south to Freiburg. The drink was flowing (they did kindly offer me a bottle but, in my fragile condition, I had to decline) and the music was blaring out classic hits such as Ma Baker, Rock me Amadeus and 99 Luftballons. All good fun but I'm not sure the couple sitting opposite me agreed judging by the look on their faces!

From Mannheim it was a short regional train to St Ilgen-Sandhausen and I arrived in the town about 1 hour before kick off. It took about about 25 minutes to walk to the ground, which is on the very outskirts of the town. The Hardtwalstdion is a mixture of stands which have clearly been built as the club as progressed up the respective leagues.

The population of the town is around 15,000 and SV Sandhausen is the smallest professional club in the second tier of German football.  Sportverein Sandhausen were founded in 1916 and spent most of their history in the lower leagues until before qualifying to be a founder member of 3.Liga in 2008. Sandhausen won 3.Liga in 2012 and promotion to 2.Bundesliga where they have remained thanks to consistent mid-table finishes.

The game finished goalless. I always try to be positive but this was definitely up there as one of the worst games I have ever seen and, as an Everton fan, I watched the Walter Smith era! 

The game was stop-start with lots of fouls and never really got going. There were half chances but, in truth, neither goalkeeper was truly tested as both teams effectively cancelled each other out.

Nonetheless, it was pleasing to get in a visit to the Hartwaldstadion. The only slight downside, for me, is the ground operates a card system, which I don't like to get involved with, so I couldn't even have a beer to numb the pain! Fortunately Kraftpaule in Stuttgart, which was my base for the night, made up for that with some excellent beers on tap.

1.FC UNION BERLIN (Stadion An der Alten Försterei)

2.BUNDESLIGA, 1.FC UNION BERLIN 3-1 SV SANDHAUSEN, ATTENDANCE: 17,532

A weekend of groundhopping in Germany began in Berlin on a Friday evening. Naturally the afternoon was spent getting acquainted with the various Brauhuases and Bars around the city before jumping on the U-Bahn to Kopenick, the nearest stop to 'Stadion An der Alten Försterei' The home of Union Berlin.

1.FC Union Berlin are one of two clubs that were formed from the original ironworks team SC Olympia 06 Oberschöneweide, who were based in the East of the city.

This club was a reasonably successful outfit until things came to a head when they reached the regional league finals in 1950. The team was refused permission to travel by the Soviet authorities, so the team fled to the West to take part in these finals (losing 7-0 to Hamburg) and these then became known as Sport-Club Union 06 Berlin.

The club and players that were left behind in the East carried on under the original name before eventually becoming 1.FC Union Berlin in 1966. Both teams use the nickname 'Eiserne' (The Iron Ones) recognising the origin of both clubs.

Union Berlin were founder members of Liga 3 in 2008 and won the inaugural title in 2009, and with it promotion to Bundesliga 2.

The 'Stadium near the old Forester's House' (which is still used today as the club offices) has been the home of Union Berlin (and its forerunners) since 1920. It has terracing on three sides of the ground and a spanking brand new Main Stand makes up the other side.



The old forester's house

 

Tonight was the opening of this new Main Stand and its construction has increased the Capacity from around 18,000 to around 21,000. This meant the crowd in attendance tonight was a season's highest. Looking across to the terrace where the visiting fans were housed, I'd say only about 50 or so had made the very long journey North East from Sandhausen to Berlin.



The new Main Stand

The vast majority of the crowd would not have been disappointed as the home side registered a very comfortable win. Based on this performance it was easy to see why Sandhausen are currently in the relegation zone, as they offered little threat.

First half goals from Michael Parensen (6) and Torsten Mattuschka (32) from the penalty spot (pictured right) gave Berlin a 2-0 interval lead.

Barış Özbek (68) further extended Union's lead before Julian Schauerte (90) scored a consolation for Sandhausen with the very last kick of the game.

I visited SC Union Berlin back in May 2011, here is the link...
http://agroundhoppersdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/sc-union-berlin-06-poststadion.html