In what was a topsy-turvy encounter, and football in it's purest form, Union Berlin and Sandhausen through caution to the wind in a quite incredible game. Florian Hübner's header five minutes from time proved the difference in a game neither side will forget in a hurry.
Sandhausen, unsurprisingly, remained unchanged after their magnificent victory over Eintracht Braunschweig last time out. Unlike their hosts, Union Berlin - who were denied three points by Fortuna Düsseldorf in their opening game - made two alterations. Toni Leistner and Steven Skrzybski dropped to the bench, with Raffael Korte and Dennis Daube coming into the starting line-up.
It was the hosts that came out of the blocks the quickest early on, and Daniel Haas had to make a sharp save at his near post from Philipp Klingmann's deflected cross. The ball was not yet cleared, however, and Andrew Wooten's ball back into the box was brilliantly defended by Benjamin Kessel.
Union were quickly trying to find their feet on the break and Stephan Fürstner nearly broken past their back-tracking defence, only to be stopped in the nick of time by Leart Paqarada. Though the Albanian and Klingmann were heavily involved at the opposite end, in what was a very impressive passing display early on from the wing-backs - Alois Schwartz had clearly sent them out to try and expose any gaps out the three Union centre-backs.
Sandhausen dominance pays off early on
That was a sign of things to come, although Marco Knaller had to be quick off the mark to steal the ball away from Bobby Wood's toes. The visitors were to soon find themselves behind, despite finally managing to get a foothold in the game.
A long ball forward towards Aziz Bouhaddouz was brought down well by the Moroccan striker, driving into the space outside of Fabian Schonheim. He couldn't close the gap quickly enough, allowing Bouhaddouz to drive a cross towards the near post and Wooten was there to turn it home. He connected sweetly with his fellow forward's ball in after stealing a march on Christopher Trimmel to net for his second goal of the season.
Jakub Kosecki twice had chances to extend that lead in quick succession, with the Pole's pace bursting past the shell-shocked Union defence. His first effort was well held by Haas, before he picked off Trimmel's loose pass and drove into the box. This time he wasn't able to get his shot off, however, as Kessel bad a crucial intervention.
Union level late on
Union's chances to get back into the game were limited at best, although their defene had finally regrouped. Korte was afforded time and space to pick out one of three men in the box following a fine passing move, only to pick out the goalkeeper - much to the dismay of his team-mates. It looked like the Berlin-based side would go into the break a goal down, but Sören Brandy had other ideas.
Korte's cross, this time, found Maximilian Thiel at the back post and he did superbly well to keep the ball in play. Wood couldn't meet it in the middle but Brandy came steaming in to thunder it in off the far post from a ridiculously tight angle, somehow managing to slip the ball past Knaller in the process and bring his side back into the game.
It could have been even better for the capital club but Wood lashed his half-volley just over from 12 yards. His opposite number nearly scored a spectacular effort of his own with Haas beaten, Bouhaddouz just couldn't quite get enough dip on his 25-yard strike. Brandy's late leveller meant the two teams went into the half-time interval level following an enthralling half of football.
Berliners take the lead thanks to captain Kreilach
Sandhausen came out firing again in the second half and immediately test Haas, though Bouhaddouz couldn't quite find a way past the Union stopper when one-on-one with him. That attacking threat was to be short lived, as Union turned the game on its head once more. After Knaller had pushed away a strong effort for a corner, Brandy managed to flick the resulting delivery on at the near post and captain Damir Kreilach slid in, unmarked to put the visitors in front for the first time.
Unfortunately for Norbert Düwel, he was about to lose Korte to injury. The winger was injured after tracking Kosecki back towards his own box and was replaced by Christopher Quiring. Toni Leistner also arrived on the scene for Dennis Daube, allowing Union to switch into a 4-2-3-1 formation. Sandhausen responded, bringing on Ranislav Jovanovic for Denis Linsmayer, in an attempt to claw their way back into the game.
Sandhausen level but Kreilach curls home a stunner
That seemed to be of great benefit to the away side initially, although it was Jovanovic who made an instant impact. The Serbian jinked his way around, and over, the Union back-line, torturing them as they tried to stop him. He then crossed towards Wooten, who ghosted in at the back post and the American duly obliged by heading into the open goal.
The game was set to finish on a knife edge but Kreilach showed his goalscoring touch once again to restore the lead. This time, it couldn't have been further from the scrappy tap-in, as Wood shot a ball into his feet and the Croat fired a fantastic curling effort into the top corner from 25 yards. Knaller was left helpless as the Union captain came up trumps once again, just a minute after his side were pegged back.
Hosts turn things around to secure the win
What Kreilach was doing in terms of finishing, Jovanovic was proving equally important in regards to assists. He weaved his magic once more and ran rings round the Union defence, only to be brought down by Kessel. There were fierce protests from the visiting defence but Thorben Siewer's mind was made up - Bouhaddouz stepped up and confidently dispatched the penalty, sending Haas the wrong way.
The momentum had swung the way of the hosts and they began to surge forward in numbers, with a free-kick drawing an excellent stop from Haas late on. From that resulting corner, the winning goal was scored. Florian Hübner rose highest to meet Kevin Kratz's corner, powering it past the helpless Haas to earn the three points.
It wasn't plain sailing at the end of the home side, who had the bar to thank for keeping out Kreilach's latest superb curling shot. Bouhaddouz had a chance to notch up a brace, only to see it somehow saved by Haas. Sandhausen's impeccable start continues, while Union will be wondering just how the managed to give up so many goals with basic errors.