Sven Michel's last-gasp equaliser gifted Union Berlin a 3-3 draw with Union Saint-Gilloise in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League last 16 here on Thursday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Eisernen took the reins from the kick-off on home soil as Sheraldo Becker tested Saint-Gilloise goalkeeper Anthony Morris twice in the early stages.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Union controlled possession and should have opened the scoring with 16 minutes gone but Kevin Behrens couldn't beat Morris from close range, reports Xinhua.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The visitors from Belgium needed some time to gain a foothold but broke the deadlock with their first attack in the 28th minute when Victor Boniface's deflected long-range shot left Berlin custodian Frederik Ronnow with no chance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The hosts were shocked and had to wait until the closing stages of the first half before Josip Juranovic curled a free kick over the wall into the top left corner to level the scores.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Union assumed control after the restart, but Yorbe Vertessen clinically finished off a counterattack, giving Saint-Gilloise a 2-1 lead in the 58th minute.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The hosts restored parity 10 minutes later through Robin Knoche, who scored with a follow-up after his penalty was initially parried by Morris.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It was a short-lived joy for the hosts though, as Vertessen raced through Union's territory before squaring into the path of Boniface, who made it 3-2 with 72 minutes played.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Union threw all men up front and were rewarded in the dying minutes when Michel tapped home the equalizer.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It was a short-lived joy for the hosts though, as Vertessen raced through Union's territory before squaring into the path of Boniface, who made it 3-2 with 72 minutes played.<\/p>\r\n\r\n