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Goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz from 1. FC Union has described his intervention after the Berlin derby's whistle against Hertha BSC (1-0) as an "impulse" and "natural reaction". "I do not think about what's going to happen, I told them in German, Polish and English that they should go because the club is going to have more problems," the 32-year-old said.
Gikiewicz had opposed several hooded Union Ultras, who pushed for the victory after the city rivals on the square. "That's just show," Gikiewicz said about that part of his own attachment.
Gikiewicz was much praised for his behavior - but not for his wife. "She told me at home, 'You're an idiot, what are you doing? You could have been hurt.'" Gikiewicz regretted that the success of the Union has taken a back seat: "It's a pity we should talk about our victory, I do not understand that, we just want to rejoice with our fans after the match."
Gikiewicz also had no understanding for parts of the Hertha fans who fired projectiles on the square and the stands. "That's not normal," he said. His family followed the game after ten minutes due to the riot from the VIP area. When Gikiewicz played in the second half in front of the Hertha Ultras, he got "a bit scared" as well: "Maybe they'll shoot me in the back."