Trimmel, Prömel, and Fischer on Union's success: "This is insane!"
A surprise three-goal-win over Freiburg on Saturday not only secured Europe for 1. FC Union Berlin, but also gave them a chance to step up this season from the UEFA Conference League to the Europa League.
While a Leipzig win tomorrow will likely render the insane dream of the Champions' League impossible, both players and coach could barely find the words to describe their sensational season.
While a Leipzig win tomorrow will likely render the insane dream of the Champions' League impossible, both players and coach could barely find the words to describe their sensational season.
| Christopher Trimmel. | Photo: Textilvergehen, CC BY-SA 2.0 |
"It's already extraordinary what we're doing here," Trimmel told the Sky mics afterwards, "One mustn't forget that we played Conference League earlier this season and made it to the Cup semi-finals. The fact that so few people expected that makes one all the more prouder."
Buttressing attacker Grischa Prömel--who scored the all-important opening goal--won't even be with the club the next season. The 27-year-old still couldn't resist praising the club whom he had often said reflected his own personal values the most.
"It's incredible what we've put together as a small club year after year," Prömel pridefully noted, "It's not something that should be taken for granted. You can see how well the club functions and works. There's a top-bottom plan that everybody at the club follows."
FCU head-coach Urs Fischer, the man who has remained on the sidelines through the club's promotion and two European qualifications, gushed with pride at what his players had accomplished.
"This is insane," the gaffer noted with noticeable difficulty finding the right words, "What these guys have achieved once again. We've qualified for Europe for the second consecutive year, which is something extraordinary from my point of view."
"What else can I say?" Fischer continued rhetorically, "I give them more than my best compliments."