Union Berlin fight back 3 times in 3-3 draw with Saint-Galloise

Union Berlin came from behind three times to salvage a 3-3 draw against Royale Union Saint-Galloise in a Europa League last-16 first leg match on Thursday.

Substitute Sven Michel fired the final goal for the German hosts in the 89th to leave the tie hanging in the balance for next week's return leg in Belgium.

Saint-Galloise had won 1-0 at the Alte Försterei stadium in the group stage and took a 28th minute lead there in snowy conditions when Victor Boniface's long-range effort took a huge deflection off Kevin Behrens and went into the top right corner.

Union levelled shortly before half-time from Josip Juranovic's curling free-kick into the left corner.

Union captain Christopher Trimmel then lost the ball in midfield which allowed the visitors to counter-attack and regain the lead from Vertessen in the 58th.

Union were level a second time when Robin Knoche poked home on rebound of his penalty - awarded for handball - being saved by goalkeeper Anthony Moris.

Knoche then came too late to stop another counter three minutes later which Boniface converted for 3-2 - only for Michel to drill into the bottom right corner and leave Union with a chance next week in Belgium - where they won 1-0 in November to reach the knock-outs.

Trimmel named the result "OK" in an interview with RTL+ despite mistakes which led to goals but insisted that "we are staying positive."

Knoche lamented that "the opponent has three shots on target and you concede three times. That must not happen to us. In the end you are happy to get the 3-3 but more would have been possible."