Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Union Berlin and the Rival - 2
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***
As the match against BFC Dynamo approached.
“Never lose to those Stasi pigs!”
“Union! Union! Union!”
The mood among Union Berlin fans shifted in an instant.
Until now, they had cheered on the club regardless of win or loss.
But against BFC Dynamo, they craved a dominant performance that would crush the opponent.
[We hated BFC Dynamo, the secret police, the Berlin Wall, and the East German government—all of it.]
This was a story tied to Germany's political history.
After World War II, Germany was divided into West and East.
The East German region, home to Union Berlin, was under heavy Soviet influence.
Union Berlin fans, working-class with strong anti-regime leanings, gathered by the tens of thousands in the stadium to voice their discontent with society.
In contrast, BFC Dynamo was backed by the Stasi, East Germany's notorious intelligence agency.
In a way, Union Berlin and BFC Dynamo were rivals from the start.
With the oppressors' support, BFC Dynamo naturally garnered no love from Berliners.
Even during their streak of ten straight titles, Union Berlin remained more popular—a clear sign of East Germans' resentment toward the Stasi.
After reunification, BFC Dynamo even changed its name in a desperate move.
But the “Stasi pigs” image wasn't so easily shaken off.
Anyway.
Union Berlin fans' leniency toward losses was also linked to the Stasi.
Their official slogan said it all: better to lose than become Stasi pigs.
It was both a show of defiance and a jab at their rival Dynamo, who had sold out.
“Smash those bastards!”
Union Berlin fans' voices echoed through the stadium.
I had hoped some fans might call my name on match day.
'No one’s chanting it.'
Unfortunately, no one did.
Well... it stung a little.
“Dem Morgengrauen entgegen, ziehn wir gegen den Wind. (Toward the dawn, we march against the wind.)”
The fans weren't in a mood for jokes anyway.
“Wir werden alles zerlegen, bis wir Deutscher Meister sind. (We'll tear everything apart until we're German champions.)”
Seeing the fiery passion rise from every seat, I swallowed hard.
'...This time, the fines are gonna be brutal.'
***
Most of Union Berlin's seating was standing room only.
For the record, this was at the fans' request.
Even if East Germany's economy lagged behind West Germany's.
As the capital, Berlin's land prices were no joke. Union Berlin, true to its poor-club status, had a small stadium.
Of course, pressure from the infamous Stasi during the divided years likely played a role too.
Anyway.
The small stadium made it tough for fans to snag tickets every match.
Even switching to maximum standing room couldn't accommodate everyone—plenty still missed out.
They headed to nearby pubs or belted out chants from outside the stadium.
I wished we could hang giant TVs outside.
Cheers from beyond the walls would give the players a huge boost.
But as always, budget was the issue.
'No money for giant TVs.'
I sincerely hoped a Korean conglomerate would sponsor one.
Well.
'Even if we did, there's no broadcast feed.'
First things first, we needed to climb to a pro league with TV coverage.
Anyway.
Union Berlin's home ground was always packed.
But today's atmosphere was especially electric.
“Run till you're gasping on the pitch! Let's go!”
The players took the field, determined to win.
***
Union Berlin's hardcore fan Mayer showed up as always.
He couldn't miss a big event like this.
Stepping inside, he spotted familiar faces.
All but one section of Union Berlin's stands were standing room.
He'd love to convert that last bit too, but he couldn't complain.
It was reserved for those with disabilities.
Sure, it'd mean fewer seats, but he wasn't too bothered.
They loved Union Berlin just as fiercely as he did.
“FC Union Du sollst leuchten, wie der hellste Heiligenschein. (FC Union, you shall shine like the brightest halo.)”
“Und überall wird es schallen, FC Union unser Verein. (And everywhere it will echo, FC Union our club.)”
They were already belting out chants at full volume before kickoff.
Was it their fervent support?
“Jaaaaaaaaa!”
Union Berlin struck first—just three minutes in.
***
From Daniel Teixeira's goal in the 3rd minute, Union Berlin hammered BFC Dynamo relentlessly.
“Stasi pig bastards!”
“Hand over the ball and fuck off!”
BFC Dynamo, desperate not to lose the derby meekly, tried to counter.
But Union Berlin's intense high press stole the ball, putting them in peril.
Just before Union Berlin entered the penalty box.
A BFC Dynamo center-back fouled to stop the counter.
Tweet!
The ref blew the whistle after seeing him tug Yannick Brandt's jersey.
Union Berlin won a free kick in a prime spot.
The moment it was called, fans leaped up shouting.
“Smash the wall!”
A phrase unused since the Berlin Wall fell.
But Union Berlin fans dusted it off today.
BFC Dynamo had been the Stasi's club, after all.
Union Berlin midfielder Marcus Mattheike set up the free kick.
Moments later.
Like the Berlin Wall crumbling at reunification, Mattheike's shot ripped through the wall and into Dynamo's net.
Union Berlin led 2-0 before the 10th minute.
A cold silence gripped BFC Dynamo's away fans.
For them, it was despairing.
Plenty of time left.
“It's only a two-goal lead! Don't settle!”
“Fuck! Press harder!”
Thomas Tuchel and Park Chan-hyuk weren't the type to celebrate a mere two goals.
That day.
Union Berlin demolished their rivals and extended their winning streak.
***
[Union Berlin crushes BFC Dynamo 9-0 at home.]
[BFC Dynamo fans demand manager's sacking post-match.]
[Thomas Tuchel scolds players despite rout: “We could’ve scored two more.”]
[Thomas Tuchel rips into player for error: “That late pass miss was horrific. Like our assistant coach’s German pronunciation.”]
***
While Union Berlin celebrated thrashing their rivals.
In Korea, with the 2006 Germany World Cup looming, broadcasters kicked off special programs.
Unlike the 2010 South Africa World Cup, where one network backstabbed others for exclusive rights.
The 2006 edition saw Korean conglomerates collude—their national pastime—to haggle down FIFA's fees.
To grab viewers during the tournament, networks rolled out World Cup specials and more.
“Wanna go see Park Chan-hyuk of Union Berlin?”
The head writer’s words made the PD grimace.
He'd heard the name somewhere.
“Sigh... sounds familiar.”
“Youngest assistant coach ever.”
“...?”
Even with the hint, the main PD looked blank.
“Lotto jackpot winner’s son.”
The head writer sighed softly, jogging his memory.
“Ah, that guy? He’s the assistant coach?”
Now the main PD remembered.
It brought back memories of clutching his stomach over the jackpot amount.
Anyway.
Despite the main PD's reluctance.
SBK's variety department decided to reach out to Union Berlin.
The club in Berlin, Germany's capital, was worth a visit anyway.
'No real broadcast hooks, though. Gotta bring big celebrities.'
But he wasn't expecting much footage.
'Just trophies, right? Union Berlin's broke—probably bought the kid a spot with family cash.'
To the main PD, Park Chan-hyuk's “youngest assistant coach” title screamed bought position.
A 20-year-old fresh into adulthood as assistant coach?
'Is he some genius?'
No way in hell, he'd bet his job on it.
***
Meanwhile, at that time.
Germany, Berlin.
Contrary to the main PD's assumption of a name-only gig.
“Chan-hyuk.”
“...Why call me in today.”
“What do you think of the player the chairman mentioned last time?”
“Well, I haven't seen him play live, so my scouting might be off.”
“Right? Go check him out yourself.”
“...Fuck.”
Park Chan-hyuk was getting reamed as usual.