Bundesliga on Sunday
Pyro interruption in Kiel – Union Berlin defeats Away Curse
The Bundesliga game between Holstein Kiel and Union Berlin was interrupted due to thick smoke
© Axel Heimken / DPA
Holstein Kiel is still waiting for its first three points in the Bundesliga – it also suffered a defeat against Union Berlin. The newcomer is now ranked 17th.
1. FC Union Berlin has ended its dry spell abroad. The capital city club of the Bundesliga defeated Holstein Kiel 2-0 (1-0) and completed their first away win since eight games across the season. Aljoscha Kemlein (18th minute) scored the opening goal after preparatory work by the strong ex-Kiel player Tom Rothe. Rothe himself made the decision shortly before the end with a header goal (89th).
Holstein Kiel is still waiting for a Bundesliga threesome
With the victory, coach Bo Svensson’s team moved past Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt and ended the seventh matchday in fifth place in the table. Bundesliga newcomer Kiel, who were on par in the second half, is still waiting for their first three points and is only in 17th place.
The blue pyrofoam from the home fans in the Choreo train stopped the guests from Köpenick’s initial offensive urge. Shortly after the first chance by Berlin’s Benedict Hollerbach, who had put a header over the goal, referee Timo Gerach interrupted the game because of the thick smoke.
Shortly afterwards it continued. The blue-white-red home team tried numerous times towards the goal via Rothe’s side. The 19-year-old defensive talent played a key role in helping the northern club gain promotion to the first division last season when he was on loan from Borussia Dortmund with four goals and ten assists.
And it was this same Rothe who was involved in the guests’ goal. The left-hand rail player delivered his high cross into Kiel’s penalty area with his weaker right foot without interference. There Kemlein finished with his head. Rothe’s opponent Timo Becker, who was replacing Lewis Holtby, who was suffering from back problems, as captain, gave his former colleague too much space for the cross.
Kiel came back fresh from the break. The guests gave them a little too much space. But the Berliners initially didn’t develop enough promising opportunities either. In the end, Rothe headed in from nine meters after a corner, but it was still unstoppable to make it 2-0.
In the second Bundesliga game on Sunday, VfL Wolfsburg hosts Werder Bremen (5:30 p.m.).
