Hertha BSC: Kernchen – Westphal (62. Burghardt), Giannori, Dreher, Pranke – Frieauff, Poock (62. Reimold), Borchmeyer (81. Schulze) – Genthe, Wellhausen (81. Wildner), Rohde (53. König)
1. FC Union Berlin: Wagner – Weiß, K. Orschmann, Becker (46. Niesler), Metzker – Frank, Görsdorf (81. Blaschka), Moraitou – Youssef (63. Trojahn), Abu Sabbah (81. Rurack), D. Orschmann
Goals: 1:0 Poock (3rd), 1:1 Abu Sabbah (5th), 1:2 D. Orschmann (10.), 1:3 Abu Sabbah (33.), 1:4 D. Orschmann (41.), 1:5 Rurack (86.), 1:6 Moraitou (90+2.)
Attendance: 1,511
Hertha start quickly, but Abu Sabbah and Orschmann turn the balance
Around 1,500 people were in the Amataeurstadion, initially to see a start that did not at all meet Union’s expectations. After just three minutes, a Hertha free kick flew across Union’s box and found a welcome recipient at the back post in the shape of Svenja Poock, who only had to roll the ball over the line from close range an early Hertha lead.
Union, however, were were not to be deterred, and the hosts’ lead was to last only two minutes. In the the 5th minute Sarah Abu Sabbah continued her strong form from pre-season, making her way through the opposing defense, giving the onrushing keeper, Kernchen, no chance with her nerveless finish. They completed the turnaround in the 10th minute when Abu Sabbah turned provider. She ran into the box, and found Dina Orschmann, who just had to keep her footing to make things 2-1.
Although Hertha were aggressive in the tackle, and made it difficult for Ailien Poese’s team to get behind their defense, Union were dominant. And they were able to extend their lead from a set-piece in the 33rd minute. It was, almost inevitably, a co-production from the two summer signings from SV Meppen, Athanasia Moraitou and Abu Sabbahl. Moraitou’s free kick found Abu Sabbah in the penalty area, who showed her strength in the air again to make it 3-1.
By the end of the first half, Hertha’s strength was noticeably sapped, as Union poured towards their goal. Indeed, Union had a great chance to make it 4-1 when a pass behind Hertha’s backline found Nour Youssef, who sprinted away and passed sharply into the six yard box where Dina Orschmann, rushing towards her, hit the post from an acute angle. The same misfortune repeated itself four minutes later when Youssef again crossed for Dina Orschmann, who this time hit the crossbar with her header.
In the 41st minute, however, Orschmann scored her second. She was found by a superb deep diagonal pass from her twin, Katja, appearing free in front of goal, and skilfully headed home. Shortly before the break, Union were close to their fifth. Once again, however, the woodwork stood in the way. It was the third time in the first half, when another shot by Abu Sabbah hit the post, following a cross from Youssef.
Rurack and Moraitou put on the final flourishes
In comparison to the first half with five goals and three strikes of the woodwork, the second half far more uneventful, a situation certainly influenced by the scorching heat. Union’s first chance to score didn’t come until the 65th minute when substitute Sophie Trojahn left her opponent standing and passed into the penalty area to Orschmann. For the fourth time, however, the post stood in the way.
As the game progressed, there were fewer great chances. In the 80th minute, Trojahn got a free shot in the box, but missed by goal a metre. then, shortly before the final whistle, however, Union turned up the heat and made it half a dozen. First, Zita Rurack shot from 25 yards, back post, top corner. Finally, in injury time, Athanasia Moraitou scored the final goal with a beautiful lob from outside the box.
A few moments later, referee Jacqueline Lünser blew the final whistle and officially declared 1. FC Union Berlin the derby winners, taking them to the top of the still young table at the same time.
The views on the game
“The early deficit was a bit of a wobble and certainly shook us up,” said stand in captain Dina orschmann after the final whistle. “But then we showed a very good reaction with the goals for 1-1 and 2-1. So I never doubted for a second that we would win the game today.”
Head coach Ailien Poese was also visibly happy with the result, saying, “We managed to respond directly to the quick goal we conceded at the beginning. After that, we calmed the game down a bit, let the ball do the work, and also scored some goals. That it flattened out a bit in the 2nd half is okay. In the end, we won 6-1 in the city derby, and played well.”
“I am very satisfied and very proud of the team,” said double goalscorer, Abu Sabbah, meanwhile. “It couldn’t have gone any better today. The team worked really well and were very sharp. So, I had no worries at all after going behind.”
The outlook
Next Sunday, 27 August 2023, will seethe first home match of the season for Union’s women when they host Guest 1. FFC Fortuna Dresden. Kick off at Dörpfeldstrasse is at 14:00. Admission, as always, is free.