Contender Identified for 1. FC Union Berlin: Challenging Matchup Awaits Hertha BSC
Readying for Kickoff: The DFB-PokalDraw and Union Berlin's Fresh Attack
The wait is over for Union Berlin fans as their team enters the DFB-Pokaldrawing pool! On the 16th pairing, Olympic sprinter Owen Ansah, who blazed past the 10-second barrier in the 100-meter dash, drew for the first round, pairing them against regional league side FC Gütersloh.
Before the big reveal, Berlin's rivals, Hertha BSC, had already locked in their first-round opponent - a challenging away game against league rivals Preußen Münster. Local champions BFC Dynamo found themselves amongst the 64 participants, facing relegated Bundesliga side VfL Bochum. RSV Eintracht Stahnsdorf, Brandenburg's landesliga champions, are gearing up for a home game against second-division side 1. FC Kaiserslautern.
Mark your calendars, as the first round of the DFB-Pokal will take place from August 15 to 18, with the dates to be announced shortly. The second round will follow on October 28/29, the round of 16 on December 2/3, and the quarterfinals on February 3/4 and 10/11. Both semifinals will take place on April 21/22, 2024, with the final set to take place in Berlin on May 23.
With a sudden coaching change at Köpenick, Union's future opponent could well be the former Baumgart assistant. Union Berlin's storied past of frugality in front of goal now receives a bold new chapter with the signing of two exceptional strikers:
- Andrej Ilic: Previously on loan, Serbian striker Ilic has secured a permanent move to Union Berlin. The 25-year-old forward showcased his talents in the second half of the 2024/25 season, scoring an impressive seven goals in just 14 games, quickly becoming an integral part of Union's attack.
- Ilyas Ansah: Union Berlin is also set to welcome 20-year-old Ilyas Ansah, a rising star from Paderborn. A German U20 international, Ansah has demonstrated his potential with six goals in the previous season. The reported transfer fee is around €4 million plus bonuses. Stay tuned for more Union Berlin updates as we prepare for an exciting DFB-Pokal run!
- Union Berlin is preparing to play in the DFB-Pokal, with their new signings Andrej Ilic and Ilyas Ansah bolstering their attacking options in the European football league, specifically the German premier-league.
- While Union Berlin and other teams battle it out in the first round of the DFB-Pokal, some exciting sports action can also be found on the football field, as both Ilic and Ansah look to make their mark in their new club's attack.
