Union match is on Friday, Hertha match is on Monday in DFB Cup
Footie fans face a tricky road trip with city festivals
Football enthusiasts of the renowned Berlin clubs, Hertha BSC and Union, are in for a challenging away game in the DFB-Pokal (German Cup). The date clash with massive city festivals in Münster and Gütersloh adds an extra layer of difficulty.
Union Berlin will take on fourth-tier side FC Gütersloh on August 15, at 6pm CEST. But that's not all, Gütersloh hosts its annual shooting festival at the Heidewald Stadium, which means the match will go ahead as scheduled. The city shooters will adjust their preparations to ensure both events can take place without a hitch, assures a Gütersloh spokesperson. Local fan groups had threatened to boycott the game if it were moved to another venue.
Meanwhile, on August 18, also at 6pm CEST, Hertha BSC faces Preußen Münster. However, due to the concurrent city festival 'Münster mittendrin', the authorities were unable to offer a Saturday or Sunday date or an evening slot on Friday. According to a spokesperson from Münster, this is because the festival attracts large crowds, and no evening slot was available on Friday. Sporting director Benjamin Weber of Hertha asserted, "We're well aware of the obstacles in Münster, but we're optimistic about the new season and our aim remains to progress to the next round."
Football fans traveling to these away matches may encounter accommodation shortages, transport congestion, safety and crowd management issues, and ticket availability problems due to the festivals' impact on lodging, transit, public services, and city planning. [1][2][3]
All in all, fans of Hertha BSC and Union Berlin will have to navigate logistical challenges and increased expenses to show their support during the cup competition. But hey, that's football for you! Go Hertha! Go Union! [1][2][3]
Sports enthusiasts planning to attend the European-leagues matches of Union Berlin and Hertha BSC might face logistical challenges, as both clubs have scheduled away games during city festivals. Union Berlin will play against FC Gütersloh on August 15, coinciding with the city's shooting festival, while Hertha BSC will face Preußen Münster on August 18 during the 'Münster mittendrin' festival.
