Dave Braneck
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braneck.bsky.social
Dave Braneck
@braneck.bsky.social
Freelance journalist in Berlin covering politics and sports. New Jersey’s unofficial ambassador to Europe.

davebraneck.com
After 11 years in Berlin I’m officially a German citizen!

Will celebrate by consuming concerning quantities of bratwurst, tut tutting jay walkers, and complaining (highly encouraged among Germans and a big no no when foreigners do it).

Where do I pick up my Camp David shirt?
November 7, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Big moment in club history: Union Berlin make their women’s Bundesliga debut in front of a packed crowd.

Also momentous for women’s football in the city - they’re the first side from Berlin proper to play in the top flight since 2010. This will be fun.

#FCUnion #FCUFCN
September 7, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Sweden’s ‘soft hooligans’ supporters out in full force in Zürich before their final group stage match vs Germany.

As someone intrigued by hooliganism but afraid of violence, legal trouble, physical exertion, and spiders (unrelated) I may see if the soft hooligans are taking new members

#WEURO2025
July 12, 2025 at 6:27 PM
I’m celebrating the 4th of July like any other proud American: by watching Germany take on Poland at the Euros in Switzerland.

Will sadly have to replace the customary bud light and hot dogs with a stadium bratwurst.

#WEURO2025
July 4, 2025 at 7:54 PM
I used to be a bit skeptical of AI’s societal value but now that I know it can be used to make pizza rat emojis I’m all in
April 21, 2025 at 6:02 PM
It’s a literally blindingly nice day for football in Berlin 😊😊

#FCUWOB #fcunion
April 6, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Striking Berlin public transit workers know the same golden rule as all German football fans: everything is better with pyro
March 20, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Massive repercussions if BSW do make it into the Bundestag: if Germany needs another awkward, three-way coalition it will only benefit the already surging AfD as new gov unlikely to coherently solve problems or bring stability and will add plenty of fuel for anti-mainstream sentiment
February 23, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Still early but looks like die Linke co-chair Ines Schwerdtner is on track to win a direct mandate in Berlin’s Lichtenberg, coming out on top of a tight race against the AfD’s Beatrix von Storch (who happens to be the granddaughter of Hitler’s finance minister)

Cherry on top of a fantastic campaign
February 23, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Holstein Kiel reportedly about to sign left back John Tolkin from New York. If he grows his mullet back out he's in instant contention for some of the best hair in the Bundesliga.

Based on that alone it's a fantastic signing.
January 15, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Has globalization gone too far?

Based solely on the existence of a ‘maultaschen burger’, I might have to say yes
December 16, 2023 at 12:57 PM