Hertha Bears Secure Victory; Union Face Champions in Cup Rematch
Getting the Season off to a Sizzling Start
The 2. Bundesliga kicks off with fireworks, as two titans of German football face off in a thrilling opening encounter. Hertha BSC, steeped in Berlin's rich culture, squares off against Schalke 04, the industrious Ruhr region powerhouse. These two clubs, each with their unique legacies, shall lock horns on August 1, under the bright lights of Sky and Sat.1 (20:30 CET).
Hertha's new recruit, Paul Seguin, journeys from Schalke to the Olympic Stadium, a move that has triggered furious reactions from the Gelsenkirchen faithful. Coincidentally, Stefan Leitl, the Hertha coach, has expressed a preference for Seguin's signing, a choice that might ruffle a few feathers among the visiting fans.
With ambitions burning bright, Hertha aims to make a strong statement as they vie for a rapid return to the Bundesliga. After two disappointing seasons, Berlin comes charging into the new campaign, determined and unapologetic. Their second matchday, on August 8-10, shall welcome Karlsruher SC to the Olympic Stadium. As the race for promotion unfolds, May 17, 2026, may well decide Hertha's destiny, as they face off against newly-promoted Arminia Bielefeld.
Meanwhile, Union Berlin, the fierce capital city rivals of Schalke, will commence their campaign slightly later, on August 23 or 24. Their match against VfB Stuttgart, who clinched the DFB-Pokal in the Olympic Stadium, promises a spectacular display of attacking football. The last meeting at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei ended in a breathtaking 4-4 draw, with no shortage of goals in the first half. Union's Leopold Querfeld scored a sensational goal from 34 meters, securing their survival under coach Steffen Baumgart.
On August 29-31, Union faces another intimidating challenge against Borussia Dortmund. The season curtain falls on May 16, when Union welcomes FC Augsburg, reprising their final game from last season.
As the DFL announces the detailed match schedules for the first five Bundesliga rounds, football purists eagerly await the precise kick-off times, set to be revealed during the week of July 7-11. The scheduling for the 2. Bundesliga's opening two rounds shall follow soon after.
Union's season unofficially commences earlier, on August 9 (15:30 CET), as they host Greek record champions Olympiakos Piraeus at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
Historically, Hertha BSC and FC Schalke 04 have not shared a deeply entrenched rivalry, but these clubs with contrasting regional identities and footballing heritages ensure that encounters between them carry a vibrant energy. The competitive spirit, passion, and regional pride ignite volatile and unpredictable clashes between these two heavyweights of German football. Indeed, a battle for supremacy is bound to erupt on August 1 under the watching eyes of their passionate fans, the media, and analysts alike.
In the unfolding 2. Bundesliga season, the European football landscape will be enlivened by the clash between Berlin's Hertha BSC and the Ruhr region's Schalke 04, two powerhouses known for their rich sports heritage, on August 1. This thrilling encounter, steeped in competitive spirit and regional pride, promises to set an electrifying tone for the European-leagues football 2022-2023 season.
