Fiery Return for Hertha: Schalke Showdown Kicks Off Tense Promotion Race
Union club braces for clash against Hertha in a fiery opening, as the cup title holder is poised to challenge. - Hertha starts strong; Union faces cup champions in the match
Get ready for some serious fireworks! The 2025-2026 second division season is shaping up to be a thrilling rollercoaster ride, with some intense rivalries and nail-biting matchups on the horizon.
Hertha BSC finds themselves on the hot seat for the opener, squaring off against a bitter rival in FC Schalke 04. This high-pressure contest, set to kick off on August 1st (8:30 PM/Sky and Sat.1), is a heavyweight clash between two Bundesliga veterans fighting to prove their mettle and secure a return to the top flight.
Yeah, you heard that right—Schalke! For Berlin fans, this rivalry goes way back, causing quite a stir since the '70s. But it seems Schalke fans are more indifferent to the capital club.
New Hertha signing, Paul Seguin, caused a bit of a fuss when he joined from the Ruhr club. His arrival has sparked some not-so-friendly reactions from Gelsenkirchen. Now, Leitl's team, with Seguin in tow, needs to prove their worth early on, having endured two disappointing seasons in a row. Berlin's aim is clear: to seriously compete for a spot in the Bundesliga once more.
On the second matchday (August 8-10), Berlin will welcome friendly rivals Karlsruher SC to the Olympic Stadium. The decider for promotion could come down to the 34th matchday (May 17, 2026) against promoted and cup finalists Arminia Bielefeld.
Hertha's had a history of rough beginnings after major summer changes. In 2024, they lost 1:2 at home to Paderborn. The year before that, they lost 0:1 in Düsseldorf. Ouch!
But, wait, there's more excitement on the horizon! Union Berlin, the city's other team, gets their Bundesliga journey underway against DFB Cup winners Stuttgart at home. This upcoming season promises some cracking matches!
Union and 1. FC Köpenick start their league campaign on August 23 or 24. Their match against cup victors VfB Stuttgart, who triumphed at the Berlin Olympic Stadium in May, is sure to deliver plenty of goals. The last meeting at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei in April ended 4:4, with Union's Leopold Querfeld scoring the goal of the month from an eye-popping 34-meter distance, securing Union's survival.
On the second matchday (August 29-31), Union faces another tough test against Borussia Dortmund. The final matchday (May 16) sees them hosting FC Augsburg, unlike last season. The DFL will announce the exact scheduling of Bundesliga matchdays 1 to 5 in the week of July 7-11. The first two matchdays of the 2. Bundesliga will be announced soon.
But first, let's talk about Union's season opener against none other than the Greek record champions, Olympiakos Piraeus. The match takes place on August 9th (3:30 PM) at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei—can Union handle the heat?
In conclusion, it's all about the promotion push in this electrifying second division season, with Hertha BSC and FC Schalke 04 setting things off in a blaze of glory. Stay tuned for more nail-biting clashes and intense competition in the race for the Bundesliga!
Key Players:
- Hertha BSC: Paul Seguin, Stefan Leitl
- FC Schalke 04: Not specified
- FC Union Berlin: Leopold Querfeld, Steffen Baumgart
- Olympiakos Piraeus: Not specified
Venues:
- Hertha BSC: Olympiastadion Berlin
- FC Schalke 04: Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen
- FC Union Berlin: Stadion An der Alten Försterei, Köpenick, Berlin
- Olympiakos Piraeus: Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis, Piraeus, Greece
With the intensity of the second division season heating up, Hertha BSC's very own Paul Seguin might find a different kind of heat on the football pitch as he faces his former team, FC Schalke 04. Meanwhile, in the European leagues, Olympiakos Piraeus awaits Union Berlin's challenge, promising an exciting clash between these two formidable sides.
