Sunday 12 December 2021

Historic double victory at home
Forth ends his terrible streak

Annoyed them that they would get the money in bankruptcy after bankruptcy. Now they can finally laugh: The Football League Greuther Fürth is celebrating its first win of the season and its first home win in Bundesliga history. European Union members are wrapping up a bitter week in Berlin.

Historic victory celebrations in Fürth: Norway’s Havard Nielsen gave leather boy SpVgg Greuther Fürth with his 1-0 (0-0) goal against Union Berlin in the 24th attempt to win his first home win in the Bundesliga. It was the first lucky day for coach Stephen Little and his pros who had usually overshadowed a dismal season until Sunday by just one point in 14 games.

December 12, 2021 will go down in shamrock history – with 28-year-old Nielsen as champion. In the game deciding scene, the residents of Forth also had luck on their side. Union Genki Haraguchi forcibly headed a corner from Branimir Hrgota. Amid the crowd in the penalty area, Nielsen made himself very strong and close to a foul against Kevin Burns and then pushed the ball with his right foot over the goal line. Fans cheered in the empty stadium. But the Forth players celebrated loudly with Nielsen. Referee Sven Jablonski admitted the controversial goal.

Forth did not stop their losing streak of their last 12 consecutive slips. Having conceded 17 goals in their last three games, they have also played free for the first time this season. Sasha Borchert played a major role in this. Former Herthaner returned to goal after eight points on the bench after Marius Funk sustained a serious knee injury. Borchert was there twice: first against Etihad playmaker Max Cruz after a foul by Sebastian Griesbeck (13th). Then above all with a superb header response from Al Ittihad striker Perez right after 1-0.

Long balls, crosses, back passes – football was tough in the afternoon at Ronhof. But the Furthers cared no less. They fought and gave everything. Harguta provided the first good opportunity, Dixon Abiyama extended his shot, but it was blocked by Al Ittihad goalkeeper Andreas Luthi (7).

Three days after he left the Congressional League, the people of Berlin really wanted to get their European frustrations with the league’s daily life off their heads and their bones. Coach Urs Fischer initially relied on the new forces. But the more mature stadium system was of little help. Top scorer Taiwo Aouni, who was replaced by Dora after being late, missed the goal with a header shortly before the end. The residents of Forth defended with enthusiasm – and with the necessary ambiguity.