Berlin News

[Andy@Berlin]

The celebrations continue in Berlin as they make the most of the moment, in winning the Darren Bradwell Cup. Its been a long time coming for the Germans but in ABs first season in Germany they lift the Cup after defeating much stronger sides throughout the competition from all divisions and across Europe. Though Atalanta pushed our boys to the limit it was Berlin who dug in and ground the result out after extra time and pens. There was sheer joy in the city instantly, and throughout the last few weeks. Business has boomed and companies have formed a que to offer sponsorship to the club. ABs has become as overnight hero as the open top bus paraded the silverware around the packed City. But no matter how important it is to celebrate success the new season looms, and here is what the great man had to say today outside the training ground.

AB, Yes we won the Cup and no one was more happy than me when that moment hit. The players, Supporters, owners ,and indeed the people of Berlin deserved this and its for all of them, .I will add that Im personally honoured to have won this great trophy, and pay my respects to Darren himself, who I spoke to many times on the phone, but never got to meet him in person, RIP my friend.

AB, we now face another season and one that we play in the DPT competition which is again a higher grade of teams taking part and higher revenue as well. A lot to look forward to again but I repeat we are planning for the future and will not change this course at all. We will again increase the capacity of the ground which will further increase our revenue stream, also invest in another full time coach which will assist out current coach and enhance the quality of the players in our Academy department. There will be at least two more youths joining us and two more will be promoted to the first team pool in the nest few days to begin pre season training with the first team squad. In addition to this we say fairwell to Kilman, Roussillon and Ronnow and wish them the best in their future careers away from Berlin as they leave for pastures new. We do not expect instant success at Berlin but will bide our time and eventually we will see the benefit of forward planning Im sure. I can confirm, I did not apply for the recent vacancies at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, despite certain newspapers saying I did. My commitment is with Berlin. Thank you.

[Andy@Berlin]

Andy Babbs flew back from Spain today after his trip to see his long time friend Freddie Kaye. AB first of all wanted to congratulate the new Real Madrid boss on his recent appointment in the hot seat at the Santiago Bernabeu .Of course whilst in Spain business was done as well as you might expect, but not until the wine was drunk and a good old natter about the good old days when AB was in charge Real Zaragoza, and Freddie was boss at Seville. Many a good tussle was had but always the friendly hand shake at the end win lose or draw. Perhaps the old ways were the best instead of the in house fighting we witness today.
But down to business it was as little old Union Berlin did business with the giants of the ffo game Real Madrid. The news is that Real Madrid have agreed to send youngster Sergio Aguero to Berlin for the coming season, and will pay the German club 5m pounds in cash in return. This suits Berlin down to the ground, and Sergio will certainly be looked after, and gain valuable first team experience in Germany at every opportunity.
Berlin hope to do further business with real Madrid in the future, and thank them very much for the loan of Sergio.

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[Andy@Berlin]

Berlin have been busy in pre season preparing for their EFL 2 challenge in season four. They have also received news that they are the most profitable club in the whole of ffo World according to the latest figures released a few days ago. This have clearly gone down well with the powers that be at Berlin HQ. The work that goes on behind the scenes is often un noticed so its good to see that the club and in particular the individuals have been credited with this outstanding accolade. This news comes hot on the heels of and outstanding Cup final against Atalanta and further under lines the direction and purpose shown by the club. The latest financial figures at the club show a healthy bank balance of 35m to spend on players, and with additional monies coming in from the various cup competitions next season, Berlin have very little to worry about on the money front at least.

AB, also has gone on record with his delight at the progress of the academy at Union Berlin stating several of the youngsters within the academy would go on to have a very good career in ffo playing at the highest level hopefully with Berlin. Two young defenders have been promoted from the Academy for the coming season and will get full game time in Berlin, and their are plans to promote at least two next close season as well. A further scout has been recruited and also an additional coach so the training will be intense next season and also more of it in an effort to further improve the young players. The ground improvement have finished and the capacity is now 55k and that spells more money at the turn styles and the ability to pay higher wages which in tun will eventually attract and retain better quality players in the future ,and to retain the quality young that Union Berlin will create themselves through their academy. All good news in Germany and only positive for the future of German football.

AB also touched on the politics within the game today but wouldnt be drawn to much and distancing himself from the issues raised recently in ffo. He did say that he wouldnt get to involved on the FFO chat site known as discord, as it was full of negative comments and created far more issues than it solved. He also commented on his caretaker role at Celtic saying this was only a caretaker role and he would not be taking over at the Scottish side, and would step aside if a full time manager could be found. He also confirmed that he has been interviewed recently for the vacant Juventus job but was unsuccessful at the interview stage for the role.

Finally AB has made several suggestions for the future of the academy in the hope that the ffo head sheds would take some of them on board.

1. Increased capacity to 14 players from the current 12.
2.Do away with mid season events no need for them.. The last thing managers want is a negative one after the massive effort involved in progressing the players and academies.
3.Lower cost of scouts for top leagues from 45m to 35m .
4.Make the quality of the lower academy players at entry level the same as top leagues
5.Wages to be lowered especially for lower league sides ,this would aid the development of clubs in these leagues.
6.Make lower league clubs more attractive to managers which would help the current shortage of managers in the lower leagues.

Overall ffo is a fun game to play, and academy additions have only added to this. The managers who have taken the plunge, and taken on a lower league club deserve a realistic chance of being able to develop their youngsters and help make small clubs big. They should be on level par at least. Academies are a great addition and should be maintained and enhanced for the good of the game.

Enjoy and remember what you have.

AB.

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[Andy@Berlin]

News coming out of Berlin that central defender "Danilho Raimundo Doekhi" has fallen out with head coach Andy Babbs, and will almost certainly leave Union Berlin. Any deal deal will only happen when a suitable replacement has been secured and it is understood that than agreement has been reached with an unknown club, for a younger up and coming central defender who is keen to move to Germany. Babbs is known for his academy commitment at the club ,so watch this space in the coming days as Doekhi seems to be on borrowed time ,and a player is on the brink of joining Berlin as his replacement.
Mean while Babbs has again risked angering the Berlin fans by repeating he is not interested in promotion in the near future with Berlin. He states that the quality of teams coming down are far above the current EFL2 teams, so what are the existing team like in EFL1,doesnt take much working out does it. Hard to argue with the Berlin boss as theres a clear case to argue that academies in the lower leagues especially need to up their game, if they are to have any chance of competing against top class opposition. Interesting to see how this pans out over the coming few seasons as Berlin expect change as each season goes by. Mean while the Berlin squad gets younger and the every increasing overheads are watched like a hawk.
News from the Berlin Academy underlines the berlin way as several players in the current Academy are expected to have a bright future in the game.

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Round 1 EFL2

Union Berlin 2 - 2 Shakhtar Donetsk

Union Berlin Entertained Shakhtar Donetsk in the opening match of the new EFL2 season ,and quickly raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to man of the moment Sergio Aguero. The Real Madrid man on loan for the season, started as he ment to go on and was rightly named man of the match at the end as well. AB wasnt happy at all as his side let the 2-0 go and were forced back by Shakhtar who scored twice to grab a well deserved 2-2 draw. A point a piece it was but should have been 3 for the home side.

Round 2 EFL2

Borussia Dortmund 4 - 2 Union Berlin

No disgrace here as Berlin were outclassed by a better side at the end of the day. Dortmund fresh down into the EFL2 from EFL1 were just to strong and it told. The strength of the sides coming down from the EFL1 are much superior than the vast majority of sides in Berlins league. That said Berlin had a go ,and AB was proud of his troops after the game and especially Fofana who grabbed two goals for the Germans. The season not started to well for the Germans but its still early days.

Round 3 EFL2

Schalke 2 - 1 Union Berlin

It got worse as Berlin travelled to Schalke and suffered a 2-1 reverse. A shocking result really, and the only bright point was a brillant solo goal from Attacking midfielder E_Nuamah. One point from nine not really the start what the coach was looking from his side, especially given the level of investment into the club in recent times.

Round 4 EFL2

Union Berlin 3 - 0 Benfica

Next league leaders Benfica visited Berlin and it wasnt looking good at all. But the Berlin players dint read the script at all and ripped into Benfica from the off and raced into a 3-0 lead thanks to a great hatrick from Fofana making his tally for the season to five so far, following on nicely from his nineteen goals last season. Benfica were shell shocked as the German totally dominated the game and claimed the points, the first win of the season.

Round 5 ELF2

Sparta Prague 0 - 1 Union Berlin

Berlin are begining to find their feet now, but a tough trip to Sparta Prague next challenge. They may sit bottom of the EFL2, but their a better side than their league position would suggest and only a matter of time before they rise up the table . It took until the 93rd minute to break the resistance of Sparta with defender Burdisso doing the damage with a thumping header at the far post sending the travelling Berlin fans into wonder land. Ten points from fifteen now ,and the season has woken up for Union Berlin.


Round 2 EFL Cup

Union Berlin 3 - 2 Rennes

After receiving a bye in the first round of the EFL Cup Berlin were drawn against Rennes at home. What a ding dong match this was but Berlin coming out of the game with a 3-2 win and 2.5m cash in their back pocket as well. Two goals for that man Aguero and new boy Faye were enough to see of the French in a spirited game.


DPT Group Game 1

Napoli 3 - 0 Union Berlin

First group game out of six coming Berlins way and a 3-0 reverse the outcome. No complaints about this one Berlin got what they deserved, and will have to up their game in the coming rounds.

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Round 6 EFL2

Union Berlin 0 - 5 Valencia

The visit of Valencia in round 6 saw Berlin suffer a heavy defeat 0-5, and certainly no complaints from the Berlin bench in this game. Berlin are building for the future, but the youngsters could not match up to the experienced Spanish outfit. If nothing else Berlin saw what they need to do if they are to make any impression on this league. Put it down to a bad day at the office and move on the boss so thats what we will do.

Round 7 EFL2

Feyenoord 0 - 2 Union Berlin

Back to winning ways in round 7 as Berlin romped to a 0-2 win in Feyenoord thanks to goals from King and Fofana. A well deserved win and after the Valencia set back which had AB beaming from ear to ear. This is the type of result that Berlin can achieve, as they showed what a good side they can be at this level. The inconsistent form of Berlin continues and shows no evidence of changing unfortunately.

Round 8 EFT2

Union Berlin 0 - 1 Wolfsburg

Wolfsburg provided the challenge to Berlin in Round 8, and it proved to be a very close game indeed, but a 0-1 loss for the hosts. Eguren getting the only goal of the game ,to hand the 3 points to the visitors at the final whistle. The Berlin faithful are used to this by now, and accept to a degree that their side is still very much a work in progress and will be for a few seasons yet. Wolfsburg are a better and stronger side on paper and it showed.

Round 9 ELF2

PSV 1 - 1 Union Berlin

Off to Holland we go in round 9 as Berlin took on PSV .Berlin deserved more from this game but fell behind to a goal by R_Kovac in the 72 second minute. However in the 96min Berlin Academy graduate Burdisso rose the highest to send a thumping header into the PSV net and earn Berlin well deserved 1-1 draw and vital point.


Round10 EFL2

Union Berlin 2 - 0 RB Salzburg

Back on
home turf for round 10 and on loan striker Aguero hit a double to claim the points for the Germans. At last were back on track as Berlin were much the better side against bottom side RB Salzburg and deserved the points. This season seems to be panning out in a very similar fashion to last season as Berlin plod on.

Round 11 EFL2

Real Betis 2 - 3 Union Berlin

Berlin travelled to Spain in round 11 and more than played their in this five goal thriller as they faced off against Real Betis. That man Aguero grabbed a brace again as he cemented himself as top scorer for Berlin this season so far. Berlin had to wait until the 87th minute in order to grab the points which berlin just about deserved.

Round 12 EFL2

Union Berlin 1 - 2 Atalanta

Back down to earth in round 12 as Atalanta provided the opposition. Again Berlin showed their inconsistent side as they fell to a 1-2 defeat, another poor performance. Overall a season I very much expected and will be much the same next season as well. There is no point in promotion for the next few seasons as Berlin would be mere cannon fodder.

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Round 13 EFL2

Union Berlin 2 - 1 Lazio

Next to visit Berlin in round 13 we took on newly relegated Italian side Lazio, well managed by a friend. of mine Ryan. Im sure he will agree that his side are stronger than mine like most sides we face at the moment. That said in typical Berlin fashion we set about proving the bookies wrong again, and succeeded. Goals from Berlin strikers Fofana and Aguero were enough to secure a 2-1 win for the Germans and send their fans home happy. Im sure you will get your own back in Italy Ryan.

Round 14 EFL2

Rennes 2 - 4 Union Berlin

Berlin travelled to France in round 14 of the EFL2 season next to face Rennes. In what is always a tricky encounter Berlin shuffled their squad and tactics around to suit the French side, and it worked as Union Berlin ran out 4-2 winners with goals from F_Mane (2 og), E_Nuamah (6), N_Burdisso (51), M_Faye (86) doing the damage. This win pushed Berlin to within a point of the play offs but AB was quick to point out not to get to carried away as Berlin are not ready for the big time just yet. Still another 3pts and a good victory in France.

Round 15 EFL2

Union Berlin 0 - 1 RB Leipzig

Next up Leipzig, and Berlin dominated this match having 20 shots at the visitors goal, as against 4 from Leipzig. As we all know its goals that count and Berlin misfired all afternoon, and yes youve guessed it Leipzig managed to sneaked a goal in the 78th minute from man of the match Laird to claim the points, much to ABs disgust. The changing rooms walls were blue after the match as the head coach told them exactly what he thought of his side.


Round 16 EFL2

Next a trip to the Basque region of Spain as Berlin took on Atletico Bilbao managed by veteran Sam Bradwell. Berlin did ok in this match as they claimed a 1-1 draw and took the point back to Germany which pleased AB. A solid performance from Union Berlin in a quite evenly balanced game. Attacking midfielder Nuamah got his name on the score sheet for a change which is exactly what AB wanted from this player.

Round 17 EFL2

Union Berlin 0 - 1 Ajax

Next up another side that has been in the top flight not to long ago, and the strength of their side and squad shows just that, and what Union Berlin face week in week out. No grumbles about the result though, as Ajax did a job on us and claimed the points thanks to a single goal from Forbes. On to the next round as this match was one to forget and we deserved nothing and duly got exactly that.

Round 18 EFL2

FC Porto 2 - 2 Union Berlin

Next the journey to Portugal to face Porto who are flying high in EFL2 at this time and what on paper looked like an easy fixture for Porto. But Berlin are not to be under estimated at all and often play well against better opposition. This was certainly the case in this match as Berlin twice came form behind to claim a much deserved 2-2 draw and take a point back to Germany with them. An 89th minute goal from man of the match Fofana gave the visitors the share of the spoils.

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Round 19 EFL2

Union Berlin 1 - 1 Lyon

Berlin entertained French side Lyon in round 19 in the latest round of the EFL2 Championship. The game was one to forget really as both sides cancelled themselves out, and you could forgive yourself for thinking both AB and his side had one eye on the final DPT match on Wednesday night, with qualification still within reach of the Germans. Berlin were without two of their best defenders for this match, but both are expected to be fit for the European match next week. A point is a point I suppose, and consolidation in 10th place is satisfactory but improvement is certainly required and quickly.

Round 2 DPT Cup

Crystal Palace 3 Union Berlin 1

After the 3-0 thumping away at Napoli in the first round, Berlin were given another lesson in the art of finishing from a higher ranked side, Crystal Palace from the English Premier league. The start to Berlins DPT adventure has started almost the same as their start in the DPC campaign last season, which they went onto win of course. But in this game Berlin were not at the races and will need to improve very quickly if they are to qualify from the group stages.

Round 3 DPT Cup

West Ham 1 Union Berlin 1

Well AB demanded a response and he got one from Berlin who managed to grab a draw at Premier league outfit West Ham Utd. A useful point but still a long way to go for qualification from the group stages in this competition. Spookily enough the pattern is still very similar to Berlins path in the DPC last season, where will this journey take us, surely not.

Round 4 DPT Cup

Union Berlin 3 West Ham 0

Well, well the pattern continues as Berlin grab their first win in this competition which keeps them in contact with an outside chance of qualification. A fantastic performance from Union Berlin in front of their own supporters and a well deserved 3pts in the bank as well, Palace next and a win very much needed to continue this dream.

Round 5 DPT Cup

Union Berlin 2 Crystal Palace 1

OMG Berlin have beaten another Premier league side, and moved into the second qualification position in the DPT Cup group stages, wow. Couldnt have asked for more really, and now our destiny remains in our own hands. This was a close game, and really could have gone either way, but we dug in, and secured the win and the points. Full credit to Robs Palace side, as they came to us and went for it, which gave the Berlin crowd a great atmosphere and match. With the final match looming against Napoli at home the goal is simple, win that game which would mean we create history, and move into a two legged quarter final against as yet unknown opposition. We can only dream, but what ever happens Im proud of this side and where they have come from.


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Head Coach Andy Babbs today paid tribute to his Union Berlin side, as they prepare for tonights group 6 DPT match against side Napoli at Stadion An der Alten Forsterei. Berlin will not be at full strength for tonights encounter, but win lose or draw the fans will be proud of their teams progress in this competition. AB has confirmed that defender M_Faye will miss the game tonight which is a big blow for Berlin. That said its a big opportunity for players to step up into the first team and claim the shirt. A capacity 55k crowd is expected tonight and the cities bars and clubs are already buzzing with both sets of fans getting into the party swing. Napoli are already qualified of course, so they can just relax and enjoy the night, because whatever happens they are through to the knockout stages of the competition anyway.

Away from the match tonight AB has confirmed that Union Berlin have taken D_Biondini on loan from Lazio for the rest of the season and received 5m for there trouble from the Italian club, with M_Bentayg going the other way with the intention of him gaining as many minutes as possible for Lazio, if not injured or suspended. Union Berlin already have
S_Aguero on loan from Real Madrid, who has made a huge impression in Germany with 4 man of the matches and 12 goals to his credit so far this season already. AB has not ruled out other loans coming in either as he tries to improve the clubs war chest for pre season, and mid season auction. AB would not be drawn at all on is intentions for the current mid season auction so its a mystrey whether the club will make an auction bid or not on this occasion. He has however heaped praise on his youngsters in the academy, with several young stars expected to make the grade in the next few seasons.

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