Berlin, the city which is the center of civilization and history of the world, especially Germany. Berlin has a very long history of human civilization. Berlin is a silent witness of the greatest histories in the world such as, the biggest conflict in humanity, the ‘Thirty Years War’ in 1618 to 1648, the Franco-Prussian war in 1870-1871, the collapse of the city of Berlin at the hands of Napoleon in 1806 , World Wars I and II, the Cold War, to events that will always be remembered and remembered by all Berliners and even the world, namely, the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1991.
Perhaps with this history Berlin became known as ‘War zone’. However, Berlin became a center for the advancement of art in the World. We can see the development of the art style of cubism, dadaism, the grandest and best cinema in Europe, ‘The Berliner Ensemble’, and others. Berlin is famous for its anti-racism. You can find places and even groups from various cultures and races such as Turkey, Russia, England, France, Israel and many more.
Berlin is a place that has its own uniqueness and interests. Everyone wants to come and live in Berlin because everyone can be himself in Berlin. No one will comment on your religion, skin color, race, and clothing style as long as you are happy and happy living in Berlin.
That is because the people of Berlin have felt long enough how oppressed and separated so that it becomes a reflection for them not to emphasize differences. Today, Berlin has the nickname ‘The City that Never Sleep’ because you will see a party that will never stop in Berlin.
If we talk about football, Berlin might not be an answer to that. However, Berlin is a historical witness of the emergence of the biggest league in the World, the Bundesliga. Yep, Berlin is able to provide 24 of the 86 teams that are the foundation of the German Football Association (Deutscher Fuball-Bund) today.
Uniquely, each community in a group has its own football club. As an example, a Turkish community group has a club called Turkiyemspor, a club from the Jewish group, Maccabi Berlin, and even groups with left-wing political thinking have their own club, SV Babbelsburg 03. Berliners do not love football based on success or trophies owned by a club. However, they love a club that can represent their identity.
In the 2019/2020 season, Berlin has two clubs in the Bundesliga major league, Hertha Berliner Sport-Club and 1. FC Union Berlin. Yep, both teams might lose big with Borussia Dortmund or Bayern Munich. However, both teams have the biggest supporter base in Germany. Hertha BSC comes from the West while FC Union Berlin comes from the East. Even though both teams are in the same city, however, both teams don’t have a bad track record. Both teams have good attachments and relationships.
How can the two teams separated by a wall make a good relationship? Yes, both teams have a dark history from time immemorial. If you are in East Berlin, you will not be able to visit West Berlin. However, if you are from West Berlin, you get a visa and permission to visit East Berlin. There are social and economic inequalities between West and East Berlin. Finally, on November 9, 1989, the community succeeded in breaking down the partition separating West and East Berlin.
The fall of the Berlin wall has not become a bridge between the two communities living in the two blocks. There are still some people who feel superior to one of the blocks. Alienation of the people of East Berlin due to the economic and cultural lagging behind makes it one of the ‘jokes’ in Germany. East Berliners are still stereotyped with disadvantaged communities.
Up to 10 months after the Berlin Wall came down, the two teams held friendly matches which were held at the Olympiastadion, Hertha BSC’s current headquarters. Everyone doesn’t consider themselves rivals because they have the same history and football is one of the events to celebrate the separation of the two blocks.
However, at this time, the two teams became rivals with high blood pressure. The reason is quite simple, they want a derbi. They want a battle on and off the field. Why did it happen? because the majority of supporters from both clubs were born when Berlin became one so they did not feel how to fight together to break down the tyranny that bound them.
However, this is the derby. This is the rivalry of football that is currently happening. Will be ‘flat’ when there is no tension and a hot atmosphere in the field and off the field. Both teams have shown that high rivalry can be created. The young men made this Berlin derby to a different level.
ASL
