In temperatures beyond the 30-degree mark, the Eisernen shifted into forward gear right from the kick-off. With consistent, high pressing, Union put pressure on the guests from Limassol early on and dominated large parts of the initial phase. However, the first lead belonged to the Cypriots: after a precise through ball by the Berlin defense, a sharp cross into the five-meter area was enough for Veljko Nikolić to score from close range to make it 0-1 (15.).

However, Mauro Lustrinelli's team did not let this throw them off track and remained the more active team. In the 31st minute, Union was rewarded for their efforts: after a free kick by Josip Juranović from the midfield, Aris Limassol failed to clear the ball decisively. After several stations, the ball eventually reached new signing Emmanuel Latte Lath, who remained alert on his debut and calmly slotted it into the empty net to equalize at 1-1. Just seven minutes later, the Berliners completely turned the match around. After a corner, Zeno Van den Bosch was perfectly positioned in the penalty area and scored with a powerful shot from the air to make it 2-1 (38.). With the goal by the Belgian center back, the teams went into the break shortly afterwards.

At the beginning of the second third, both teams took a few minutes to regain momentum. The first good chance then belonged to the Eisernen: Aljoscha Kemlein had a shot from the back area after about ten minutes, but he sent his attempt wide of the goal (55.). Shortly thereafter, the German U21 national player was again in the spotlight. After Marin Ljubičić had fought his way through at the edge of the penalty area and cleverly laid off the ball, Kemlein aimed with a precise curl towards the bottom right corner. However, Aris goalkeeper Zadko reacted strongly and deflected the ball around the post (59.). Union kept pressing and immediately created the next opportunity. Livan Burcu embarked on a spectacular dribbling run, nutmegged his opponent, and then set up Leopold Querfeld. The Austrian center-back took a powerful shot, but once again, he was denied by the excellent reacting keeper of the Cypriots (60.).

Despite the advantage in chances, the Berliners failed to add a third goal. Instead, Aris Limassol equalized: Rody Effaghe retained possession in the penalty area against several defenders and then calmly slid the ball into the far corner to make it 2-2 (63.). 

However, the Eisernen rewarded themselves ten minutes before the end of the second third with a renewed lead. After a foul in the penalty area, the referee pointed to the spot: Kemlein took responsibility and confidently converted the resulting penalty to make it 3-2 (80.). With the midfielder's goal, Union once again took the lead before the second third was concluded shortly thereafter.

In the final section, Union remained the dominant team and frequently threatened the goal of the Cypriots. Captain Christopher Trimmel intercepted a ball in midfield and immediately initiated the counterattack. He played the action himself all the way into the penalty area, where ultimately Marin Ljubičić had a shot, but he placed the ball just past the post (95.). The next promising opportunity also belonged to the Eisernen: Oluwaseun Ogbemudia drove the ball through midfield and served Trimmel, who had started on the right side. Trimmel's cross was laid off by Tim Skarke for Wooyeong Jeong, but the South Korean's volley soared a few meters over the goal (106.).

Union continued to apply pressure and created further opportunities for a fourth goal. Trimmel's long-range shot hit the post, while the only 16-year-old Linus Güther narrowly missed the opponent's goal after a beautiful combination. The Köpenickers continued to push for a decisive goal, but it ultimately wasn't necessary, as the match ended with a 3-2 victory for Union after 135 minutes.

“I have now been with the club for one week and I am trying to learn as quickly as possible. Now we have two weeks left until the first competitive match, and it can only get better. But today was already very good, I think,” concludes Emmanuel Latte Lath.

“We wanted to deliver a good finish and we achieved that. I liked how the team applied pressing and their game idea despite the heat on the pitch,” is the analysis of head coach Mauro Lustrinelli after the match.