After one and a half seasons at 1. FC Union Berlin, striker Sven Michel is going in a new direction, with the 32-year-old moving to league rivals FC Augsburg for the coming season. But he won’t be quickly forgotten, for Michel scored one of the most important goals in the Union’s UEFA Europa League campaign and, arguably, their history.
From Paderborn to Europe
In the winter of 2022, Michel moved from SC Paderborn to Union as the top scorer in the 2nd Bundesliga at the time. After a short period of acclimatisation, he hit his stride in the final spurt of the season with three goals and two assists in the last six games. Indeed, Michel was one of the guarantors of a place in the Europa League. His numbers are remarkable, he came off the bench in each of these games and was involved in a goal every 15 minutes.
Michel also played the role of joker as the 2022/ 23 Bundesliga season moved into action, scoring his first brace for Union in the fourth game in the remarkable 6-1 win over Schalke 04, his second displaying clinical finishing and his beautiful technique.
But his most important goal came a few months later. In the last group match of the Europa League, Union needed a win away against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise to enter the playoffs for qualification to the knockout rounds. In the sixth minute, stretching further than seemed possible – and all the time keeping his eye on the ball delivered from outside the box by Sheraldo Becker – he finished with his the very tip of his toe. It was the opener, and ultimately, the winner, too.
Sven Michel played 44 times for Union, scoring nine and assisting a further three.
The views on the transfer
“I’m leaving with a smile on my face but a tear in my eye,” said Michel, looking back fondly. “My time at Union was the most successful of my career. I will never forget the successes in the league, the trips through Europe and, of course, the crazy atmosphere at the Alte Försterei. However, it’s also important to me that I’m on the pitch regularly.”
“With Sven Michel, not only is a real team player leaving, but also one who contributed significantly to the team’s success during his time with us,” said 1. FC Union Berlin’s director of professional football, Oliver Ruhnert. “However, if someone wants a change in his career, we will always allow him to do so. We respect that and wish Sven nothing but the best.”