Berlin derby


The Berlin derby is the name given to any association football match between two clubs in Berlin, Germany, but has more recently referred to the derby between Hertha BSC and 1. FC Union Berlin.

History

Before reunification

Despite producing more Bundesliga clubs than any other German city, Berlin derbies have been a rarity during the history of the current German top division. During the 1950s, an intense rivalry between Tennis Borussia Berlin and Hertha BSC developed. A proposal for a merger between the two clubs in 1958 was resoundingly rejected, with only three of the 266 members voting in favour. On 16 November 1974, the first Bundesliga Berlin derby between Tennis Borussia Berlin and Hertha BSC took place at the Olympiastadion, with Hertha winning 3–0, who were playing at their home ground despite being the designated away team. On 10 May 1975, Hertha completed the double over Tennis Borussia Berlin, winning 2–1, again at the Olympiastadion. Following TeBe Berlin's relegation at the end of the 1974–75 Bundesliga season, the pair did not meet again until 13 November 1976, with Hertha winning 2–0, and met for a final time in the 1976–77 Bundesliga on 16 April 1977, with TeBe achieving their sole victory against Die Alte Dame 2–1. All meetings between the pair were hosted at the Olympiastadion. A decade later, three Berlin clubs were involved in the 1985–86 2. Bundesliga: Hertha BSC and Tennis Borussia, both relegated, and Blau-Weiß 1890 who finished runners-up to reach the top division for the only season in their history. A few years prior, in 1982, plans for another merger involving Hertha were drawn up with Tennis Borussia Berlin, Blau-Weiß Berlin and SC Charlottenburg. The plan, nicknamed "FC Utopia" by critics, ultimately failed.
Berlin derby match between ASK Vorwärts Berlin and SC Dynamo Berlin, 1959
Meanwhile in East Berlin, in the DDR-Oberliga, city derbies were more commonplace. The team of SG Dynamo Dresden was moved into Berlin in 1954, to play as SC Dynamo Berlin. The football department of SC Dynamo Berlin was separated from the sports club in 1966 and reformed as football club BFC Dynamo. BFC Dynamo was seen as a club of the East German establishment. The club was sponsored by the Stasi and considered the favorite club of Erich Mielke. Backing from Erich Mielke was considerable. BFC Dynamo won ten consecutive Oberliga titles between 1979 and 1988, with allegations of sporting misconduct fueling a rivalry with Köpenick-based club 1. FC Union Berlin. Clashes between Dynamo and Union fans regularly broke out at games between the pair, with 1. FC Union Berlin being seen as an anti-establishment club, with anti-GDR sentiment becoming commonplace in 1. FC Union Berlin's fanbase. In 1953 another club, known as Vorwärts, originally founded in Leipzig and associated with the East German army, was transplanted to Berlin to increase the military profile in the capital; they won six GDR titles and two cups in the 1960s before being relocated again to Frankfurt an der Oder in 1971 and later disbanded, which allowed BFC Dynamo to take their place as the dominant state-supported team in East Berlin.
During the separation of East and West Germany, Hertha BSC and 1. FC Union Berlin developed a friendship between both sets of supporters, with Hertha fans visiting the Stadion An der Alten Försterei and 1. FC Union Berlin fans accompanying Hertha BSC fans whenever Hertha played in East Germany or Eastern Bloc countries. The slogan "Hertha und Union – eine Nation" was a popular phrase between both sets of supporters during the divide of Germany.
During Hertha and Union's separation, Hertha also held a rivalry with fellow Berlin club SC Tasmania 1900 Berlin however the rivalry was more one-sided on Tasmania's part and still exists today in their successor SV Tasmania Berlin.

After reunification

On 9 November 1989, the Berlin Wall fell after 28 years of politically, and physically, dividing Berlin. On 27 January 1990, 79 days after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Hertha hosted 1. FC Union Berlin at the Olympiastadion in a friendly in front of 51,270 spectators. Fans of both club's paid for admission in East and West Germany's respective currencies and sang songs of German reunification as Hertha won 2–1. New Hertha signing Axel Kruse opened the scoring at the Olympiastadion in the 13th minute, before 1. FC Union Berlin midfielder levelled the scores at 1–1 before half-time. Hertha BSC eventually won the tie 2–1, thanks to a long range strike from Dirk Greiser. After reunification, 1. FC Union Berlin were placed into the third tier NOFV-Oberliga Mitte, winning the division in all three seasons it existed. Numerous lower key friendlies followed the historic January 1990 meeting at the Olympiastadion.
In two consecutive seasons at the end of the 1990s, Tennis Borussia Berlin were drawn to face Hertha BSC in the DFB-Pokal, during a period when Hertha were among German's strongest teams but TeBe had also acquired a rich backer and made expensive signings in an effort to climb through the divisions. In their first meeting in 1998, TeBe won 4–2 to progress to the quarter-finals in a surprise result. In 1999's Round of 32, Hertha battled to a 3–2 victory but required extra time to overcome their neighbours.

Bundesliga era

In May 2009, 1. FC Union Berlin won the 3. Liga, gaining promotion to the 2. Bundesliga. On 8 July 2009, Union and Hertha played in a friendly at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei to celebrate the re-opening of the stadium following a season-long renovation period that saw 2,000 volunteers contribute to the building of the stadium. Hertha won the tie 5–3, in a game where a sense of a rivalry was beginning to develop. Hertha BSC supporter and radio commentator Manfred Sangel recalled “The stadium announcer kept having a go at us and at one of our players.” 1. FC Union Berlin president Dirk Zingler subsequently described the friendship between Hertha and Union as “the love for the mysterious mistress started to crumble“ following the fall of the Berlin Wall. During the 2009–10 Bundesliga season, Hertha BSC were relegated to the 2. Bundesliga. On 17 September 2010, 1. FC Union Berlin played Hertha BSC in the first ever competitive meeting between the pair. The tie at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei finished 1–1 in front of 18,432 spectators. The return game at the Olympiastadion, played in front of 74,244, finished 2–1 in favour of 1. FC Union Berlin, with Union Berlin cult hero Torsten Mattuschka scoring the winning free-kick in the 71st minute. By the third competitive meeting between the two, signs that the derby was beginning to turn exclusively into a rivalry more than a friendship were beginning to show. After Hertha BSC's 2–1 win at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, 1. FC Union Berlin goalscorer Christopher Quiring labelled Hertha's fans Wessis, a semi-derogatory term for West Germans, telling Sport1 "They cheer in our stadium. That makes me puke! You have to digest that first. I don't give a shit about my goal. When the Wessis cheer in our stadium, I get sick". 1. FC Union Berlin manager Uwe Neuhaus subsequently labelled Quiring a "great Unioner".
In May 2019, 1. FC Union Berlin gained promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time in their history. Ahead of the first top flight Berlin derby in over 40 years, Hertha BSC expressed a desire to play the game on the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 November 2019. Union Berlin president Dirk Zingler refused, calling the game a "football class struggle", leading to the game being played a week earlier. An 87th minute Sebastian Polter penalty secured a 1–0 win for Union; the game was temporarily suspended by referee Deniz Aytekin, following fireworks fired by Hertha fans landing amongst Union Berlin fans, as well as on the playing surface. 1,100 police officers were on duty for the game, with Hertha fans burning 1. FC Union Berlin shirts, flags and scarves during the game. Following full time, 1. FC Union Berlin goalkeeper Rafał Gikiewicz won praise from fans and media alike after ushering Union Berlin ultras from the field of play, following a minor pitch invasion devised to attack Hertha supporters. The second Berlin derby of the season, originally scheduled for 21 March 2020, was due to be played behind closed doors following advice from the Bundesministerium für Gesundheit, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany but was later postponed following the Bundesliga's suspension until 2 April. On 22 May 2020, Hertha BSC played Union Berlin at the Olympiastadion behind closed doors, winning 4–0; the biggest competitive victory between the pair.

Full list of results

Blau-Weiß 90 Berlin v Hertha BSC

DateScoreWinnerCompetitionVenueAttendanceNotes
29 September 19842–0Hertha BSC2. BundesligaOlympiastadion19,100
16 March 19850–2Hertha BSC2. BundesligaOlympiastadion26,600Although the designated away team, the game was hosted at Hertha's Olympiastadion.
21 September 19852–2Draw2. BundesligaOlympiastadion22,832Although the designated away team, the game was hosted at Hertha's Olympiastadion.
15 March 19862–2Draw2. BundesligaOlympiastadion14,880
10 August 19880–2Blau-Weiß 90 Berlin2. BundesligaOlympiastadion33,600
8 April 19891–1Draw2. BundesligaRathausritze32,050Venue and attendance as stated in source, though seems unlikely due to capacity of ground and size of crowd.
28 September 19892–3Hertha BSC2. BundesligaOlympiastadion35,000Although the designated away team, the game was hosted at Hertha's Olympiastadion.
31 March 19903–0Hertha BSC2. BundesligaOlympiastadion30,000
28 August 19911–1Draw2. Bundesliga NorthOlympiastadion15,800
9 November 19910–3Hertha BSC2. Bundesliga NorthOlympiastadion9,300Although the designated away team, the game was hosted at Hertha's Olympiastadion.

Blau-Weiß 90 Berlin v Tennis Borussia Berlin

DateScoreWinnerCompetitionVenueAttendanceNotes
30 November 19850–4Blau-Weiß 90 Berlin2. BundesligaMommsenstadion6,697
11 May 19861–2Tennis Borussia Berlin2. BundesligaOlympiastadion18,354

SC Charlottenburg v Hertha BSC

DateScoreWinnerCompetitionVenueAttendanceNotes
24 August 19831–1Draw2. BundesligaOlympiastadion24,000
18 February 19841–0SC Charlottenburg2. BundesligaMommsenstadion9,305

BFC Dynamo v 1. FC Union Berlin

Lower divisions / cups / friendlies

DateScoreWinnerCompetitionVenueAttendanceNotes
13 October 19713–0BFC DynamoFriendlyFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark
7 June 19723–1BFC DynamoFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark3,500
9 January 19742–1Union BerlinFriendlyStadion An der Alten Försterei
3 August 19747–0BFC DynamoFriendlyFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark
4 November 19781–8BFC DynamoStadion der Weltjugend20,000
18 November 19787–1BFC DynamoStadion der Weltjugend10,000
10 December 19880–2BFC DynamoStadion An der Alten Försterei20,000
20 February 19905–4Union BerlinFriendlyWerner-Seelenbinder-Halle4,400Indoor tournament. First match between the pair after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
23 September 19902–1Union BerlinStadion An der Alten Försterei3,500First competitive match between the pair after the fall of the Berlin Wall. BFC Dynamo now played under the name FC Berlin.
8 June 19911–0Union Berlin2. Bundesliga play-offStadion An der Alten Försterei9,000
18 June 19912–0BFC Dynamo2. Bundesliga play-offStadion im Sportforum9,475
31 May 19923–0BFC Dynamo2. Bundesliga play-offStadion im Sportforum3,520
3 June 19920–4BFC Dynamo2. Bundesliga play-offStadion An der Alten Försterei2,400
13 April 19948–6Union BerlinBerlin CupStadion An der Alten Försterei2,200
24 September 19941–1DrawRegionalliga NordostStadion im Sportforum2,338
2 April 19953–2Union BerlinRegionalliga NordostStadion An der Alten Försterei3,600
20 October 19951–3Union BerlinRegionalliga NordostStadion im Sportforum2,170
27 April 19964–1Union BerlinRegionalliga NordostStadion An der Alten Försterei1,680
28 September 19960–6Union BerlinRegionalliga NordostStadion im Sportforum1,783
28 March 19971–3DrawRegionalliga NordostStadion An der Alten Försterei2,185
7 December 19973–1Union BerlinRegionalliga NordostStadion An der Alten Försterei1,621
9 May 19982–2DrawRegionalliga NordostStadion im Sportforum1,112
5 December 19980–3Union BerlinRegionalliga NordostStadion im Sportforum2,611
8 May 19990–2BFC DynamoRegionalliga NordostStadion An der Alten Försterei2,543
23 October 19990–3Union BerlinRegionalliga NordostStadion im Sportforum4,220
22 April 20002–1Union BerlinRegionalliga NordostStadion An der Alten Försterei5,010
24 March 20010–3Union BerlinBerlin CupFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark4,427
21 August 20058–0Union BerlinNOFV-Oberliga NordStadion An der Alten Försterei14,020
13 May 20060–2Union BerlinNOFV-Oberliga NordStadion im Sportforum6,471

DDR-Oberliga

DateScoreWinnerCompetitionVenueAttendanceNotes
5 November 19661–2Union BerlinDDR-OberligaSportplatz Steffenstraße10,000
26 April 19673–0Union BerlinDDR-Oberliga10,000
27 October 19681–1DrawDDR-OberligaStadion An der Alten Försterei9,000
3 May 19691–1DrawDDR-OberligaSportplatz Steffenstraße13,000
28 October 19701–1DrawDDR-OberligaDynamo-Stadion im Sportforum8,000
2 June 19710–1BFC DynamoDDR-OberligaStadion An der Alten Försterei15,000
26 December 19711–1DrawDDR-OberligaFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark14,000
17 May 19720–0DrawDDR-OberligaStadion An der Alten Försterei14,000
30 September 19721–2Union BerlinDDR-OberligaFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark15,000
14 April 19730–2BFC DynamoDDR-OberligaStadion An der Alten Försterei18,000
4 September 19761–0Union BerlinDDR-OberligaStadion der Weltjugend45,000
19 February 19770–1Union BerlinDDR-OberligaStadion der Weltjugend28,000
26 August 19771–0BFC DynamoDDR-OberligaStadion der Weltjugend45,000
4 March 19780–2BFC DynamoDDR-OberligaStadion der Weltjugend45,000
2 September 19785–0BFC DynamoDDR-OberligaStadion der Weltjugend32,000
3 March 19791–2BFC DynamoDDR-OberligaStadion der Weltjugend18,000
9 December 19792–0BFC DynamoDDR-OberligaStadion der Weltjugend20,000
3 May 19800–6BFC DynamoDDR-OberligaStadion der Weltjugend31,000
28 August 19824–0BFC DynamoDDR-OberligaStadion der Weltjugend33,000
6 April 19831–4BFC DynamoDDR-OberligaStadion der Weltjugend14,000
19 November 19834–0BFC DynamoDDR-OberligaStadion der Weltjugend22,000
20 April 19841–3BFC DynamoDDR-OberligaStadion der Weltjugend15,000
17 August 19852–1BFC DynamoDDR-OberligaStadion der Weltjugend30,000
22 February 19861–1DrawDDR-OberligaStadion der Weltjugend18,000
13 September 19868–1BFC DynamoDDR-OberligaStadion der Weltjugend20,000
1 April 19871–2BFC DynamoDDR-OberligaStadion An der Alten Försterei11,000
15 August 19870–4BFC DynamoDDR-OberligaStadion der Weltjugend15,000
5 March 19882–1BFC DynamoDDR-OberligaFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark12,000
24 August 19881–1DrawDDR-OberligaStadion der Weltjugend25,000
18 March 19892–3BFC DynamoDDR-OberligaStadion der Weltjugend10,000

BFC Dynamo v FC Vorwärts Berlin

DateScoreWinnerCompetitionVenueAttendanceNotes
10 October 19544–0SC Dynamo BerlinDDR-OberligaWalter-Ulbricht-Stadion12,000
27 March 19551–3SC Dynamo BerlinDDR-OberligaFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark8,000
11 September 19550–0DrawDDR-OberligaFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark30,000The teams played each other only once in this transitional season.
11 April 19561–1DrawDDR-OberligaFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark18,000
9 September 19561–1DrawDDR-OberligaWalter-Ulbricht-Stadion15,000
23 March 19582–1ASK Vorwärts BerlinDDR-OberligaFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark10,000
31 August 19581–2ASK Vorwärts BerlinDDR-OberligaWalter-Ulbricht-Stadion15,000
12 April 19593–1ASK Vorwärts BerlinDDR-OberligaFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark12,000
18 October 19591–2ASK Vorwärts BerlinDDR-OberligaWalter-Ulbricht-Stadion18,000
8 May 19601–3ASK Vorwärts BerlinDDR-OberligaWalter-Ulbricht-Stadion10,000
23 October 19600–2SC Dynamo BerlinDDR-OberligaFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark18,000
7 June 19611–3ASK Vorwärts BerlinDDR-OberligaWalter-Ulbricht-Stadion20,000
28 October 19613–0ASK Vorwärts BerlinDDR-OberligaWalter-Ulbricht-Stadion10,000
6 May 19622–1SC Dynamo BerlinDDR-OberligaWalter-Ulbricht-Stadion1,000The teams played each other three times in this transitional season, with the third meeting at a neutral venue - both teams played at the same stadium that season in any case, so the same venue was used.
7 October 19620–0DrawDDR-OberligaFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark10,000
17 March 19631–1DrawDDR-OberligaSportplatz Steffenstraße3,000
6 October 19631–4ASK Vorwärts BerlinDDR-OberligaSportplatz Steffenstraße6,000
8 March 19641–4SC Dynamo BerlinDDR-OberligaFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark8,000
6 September 19640–0DrawDDR-OberligaSportplatz Steffenstraße12,000
14 March 19653–0ASK Vorwärts BerlinDDR-OberligaFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark5,000
21 August 19650–3SC Dynamo BerlinDDR-OberligaFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark12,000
26 February 19660–1FC Vorwärts BerlinDDR-OberligaSportplatz Steffenstraße12,000First match between BFC Dynamo and FC Vorwärts Berlin.
13 August 19661–1DrawDDR-OberligaSportplatz Steffenstraße7,000
4 March 19671–1DrawDDR-OberligaFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark12,000
9 November 19682–1FC Vorwärts BerlinDDR-OberligaFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark8,500
17 May 19691–2FC Vorwärts BerlinDDR-OberligaSportplatz Steffenstraße8,000
10 September 19695–2FC Vorwärts BerlinDDR-OberligaFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark10,000
11 April 19701–0BFC DynamoDDR-OberligaDynamo-Stadion im Sportforum5,000
9 September 19701–0BFC DynamoDDR-OberligaDynamo-Stadion im Sportforum12,000
27 March 19711–0FC Vorwärts BerlinDDR-OberligaFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark7,000

Hertha BSC v Tennis Borussia Berlin

Lower divisions / cups / friendlies

DateScoreWinnerCompetitionVenueAttendanceNotes
13 December 19802–0Hertha BSC2. BundesligaOlympiastadion43,100
7 February 19811–4Hertha BSC2. BundesligaOlympiastadion32,000Although the designated away team, the game was hosted at Hertha's Olympiastadion.
14 September 19853–0Hertha BSC2. BundesligaOlympiastadion11,968
8 April 19860–4Hertha BSC2. BundesligaMommsenstadion8,353
3 October 19933–0Hertha BSC2. BundesligaOlympiastadion16,000
3 May 19941–2Hertha BSC2. BundesligaOlympiastadion6.815Although the designated away team, the game was hosted at Hertha's Olympiastadion.
28 October 19984–2Tennis Borussia BerlinDFB-PokalOlympiastadion40,100Although the designated away team, the game was hosted at Hertha's Olympiastadion.
13 October 19992–3Hertha BSCDFB-PokalOlympiastadion23,200After extra time; 2–2 after 90 minutes.
Although the designated away team, the game was hosted at Hertha's Olympiastadion.

Bundesliga

DateScoreWinnerCompetitionVenueAttendanceNotes
16 November 19740–3Hertha BSCBundesligaOlympiastadion75,000Although the designated away team, the game was hosted at Hertha's Olympiastadion.
10 May 19752–1Hertha BSCBundesliga42,000
13 November 19762–1Hertha BSCBundesligaOlympiastadion74,762
16 April 19772–0Tennis Borussia BerlinBundesligaOlympiastadion42,000Although the designated away team, the game was hosted at Hertha's Olympiastadion.

Hertha BSC v 1. FC Union Berlin

Friendlies

Competitive

DateScoreWinnerCompetitionVenueAttendanceNotes
17 September 20101–1Draw2. BundesligaStadion An der Alten Försterei18,432First competitive meeting between the pair.
5 February 20111–2Union Berlin2. BundesligaOlympiastadion74,244
3 September 20121–2Hertha BSC2. BundesligaStadion An der Alten Försterei16,750
11 February 20132–2Draw2. BundesligaOlympiastadion74,244
2 November 20191–0Union BerlinBundesligaStadion An der Alten Försterei22,012First Bundesliga meeting between the pair and first top-flight Berlin derby in over 40 years.
22 May 20204–0Hertha BSCBundesligaOlympiastadion0Initially scheduled for 21 March 2020. Later postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Rescheduled for 22 May 2020 to be played behind closed doors.

Spandauer SV v Tennis Borussia Berlin

DateScoreWinnerCompetitionVenueAttendanceNotes
4 October 19753–2Tennis Borussia Berlin2. Bundesliga NorthMommsenstadion4,000
11 April 19760–5Tennis Borussia Berlin2. Bundesliga NorthStadion am Askanierring6,228

Spandauer SV v Wacker 04 Berlin

DateScoreWinnerCompetitionVenueAttendanceNotes
27 September 19752–3Wacker 04 Berlin2. Bundesliga NorthStadion am Askanierring5,200
27 March 19761–1Draw2. Bundesliga NorthSportplatz Wackerweg2,400

Tennis Borussia Berlin v Wacker 04 Berlin

DateScoreWinnerCompetitionVenueAttendanceNotes
12 October 19752–1Wacker 04 Berlin2. Bundesliga NorthSportplatz Wackerweg6,000
12 June 19764–1Tennis Borussia Berlin2. Bundesliga NorthMommsenstadion25,000
29 October 19781–2Wacker 04 Berlin2. Bundesliga NorthOlympiastadion50,000
20 April 19792–3Tennis Borussia Berlin2. Bundesliga NorthSportplatz Wackerweg2,300

Union Berlin v Vorwärts Berlin

DateScoreWinnerCompetitionVenueAttendanceNotes
12 November 19660–0DrawDDR-OberligaStadion an der Alten Försterei12,000
4 May 19671–0Vorwärts BerlinDDR-OberligaFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark30,000
23 December 19671–0Union BerlinDDR-OberligaStadion an der Alten Försterei4,000
22 May 19682–1Union Berlin:de:FDGB-Pokal 1967/68|FDGB-PokalSemi-final; Union Berlin won the FDGB-Pokal.
1 June 19681–1DrawDDR-OberligaFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark14,600
2 November 19680–2Vorwärts BerlinDDR-OberligaStadion an der Alten Försterei12,000
10 May 19692–0Vorwärts BerlinDDR-OberligaFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark15,000
12 September 19702–2DrawDDR-OberligaFriedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark18,000
31 March 19711–1DrawDDR-OberligaStadion an der Alten Försterei12,000