Soccer - Union President: Move to the Olympic Stadium was the right decision
President Dirk Zingler of 1. FC Union Berlin considers the move to the Olympiastadion for the Champions League matches to have been the right decision, even in retrospect. "We ended up with over 210,000 spectators, we gained a lot of new contacts in sponsorship. We have a lot on the plus side, but we also felt some pain. Because every one of us would have liked to experience these games in the An der Alten Försterei stadium," said Zingler in an interview with the Bundesliga club, summing up: "In the end, I think we made the right decision.
In order to offer as many Union fans as possible a ticket, the capital city club relocated for its three home matches in the top flight. The Union Stadium can only hold a good 22,000 spectators. At the venue of local rivals Hertha BSC, around 74,000 soccer fans were able to watch each match.
Zingler spoke of a difficult decision. "I believe that the vast majority consider the decision for the Olympiastadion to be the right one," said the 59-year-old, raving in particular about the atmosphere at the 2:3 against Real Madrid. "Everyone who was there will remember that evening. That half, the way the game went and being able to share it - that's part of a great day in the history of our club".
On their debut on Europe's biggest soccer stage, Union failed to win a single game and finished bottom of their group after the preliminary round. Only against Napoli and Braga (both 1:1) could the Köpenicker score.
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- The move to the Olympic Stadium for Champions League matches was praised by Union Berlin's president, Dirk Zingler, stating it was the right decision even in retrospect, drawing over 210,000 spectators.
- Zingler acknowledged the sadness of not playing in their smaller stadium an der alten festrei, but highlighted the positive aspects, such as new sponsorship contacts and the passionate atmosphere during the 2:3 loss against Real Madrid.
- Dirk Zingler, the 59-year-old 1.FC Union Berlin president, spoke of the challenging nature of relocating to the Olympiastadion for their three top-flight home matches, where they attracted around 74,000 soccer fans per game.
- Union Berlin failed to secure a single win in their debut on Europe's biggest soccer stage and finished bottom of their group after the preliminary round, managing draws against Napoli and Braga (both 1:1).
- After Union Berlin's disappointing performance in the Champions League, President Zingler participated in an interview with the DFL, discussing their move to the Olympiastadion and its impact on the club and its fans.
- The decision to move to the Olympiastadion underwent intense media scrutiny, with experts and analysts weighing in on its effectiveness and impact on Union Berlin's brand and fan base within the Bundesliga.
- As Germany's soccer fandom grew increasingly of interest to marketing and advertising agencies, clubs like Union Berlin found themselves in greater demand for product placements and sponsorships, with Union Berlin capitalizing on the powerful draw of the Olympiastadion.
Source: www.stern.de
