Union Berlin thoughts
my trips to watch 1FC Union Berlin
Union Berlin Women's Team
Union Berlin were one of the first clubs in the DDR to have a Women's team starting in the late 1960's. In 1990 they were officially joined with the main club and have been giving a good account of themselves and coming close to promotion. When Union Berlin had a good run in UEFA competitions and made more money part of that was invested in the Women's and the Youth teams at the club. The Women's team is now professional meaning that they can train during the day and not have to work 40 hours in a job and fit football into a hectic schedule. The extra training and coaching has certainly paid off as they currently (Jan 2024) sit, unbeaten, at the top of Regionalliga Nordost and hoping to get promoted to the 2 Frauen Bundesliga.
I live not far from where the home games are played and have been to several games this season. They are well worth watching and the game against Viktoria Berlin was a ticket only affair with a great atmosphere. There are some good players on show - my personal favourites are Athanasia Moraitou and Nour Youssef but there are good players all over the pitch. Its been quite comfortable so far this season and it will not be as easy in the 2 Frauen Bundesliga but I have every faith that they will do well if they go up.
The squad contains players from diverse backgrounds and is a good mix of youth and experience. The Coach, Ailien Poese is an ex player who coached at Youth level for the DFB and for Union....her results speak for themselves. Head of the Women's and Girls department is Jennifer Zietz - a former German International and highly rated player at Turbine Potsdam - she is over-seeing the development of young talent as well as planning for the Women's team. The future looks bright !
In other news concerning Union Berlin and Women....youth coach Marie Louise Eta stepped up to help the men's first team after the departure of Urs Fischer and has remained as part of the first team set up with the new coach. This is a first in the Bundesliga and Kicker had to turn off comments on their story about it as the usual Misogynists and cavemen spat their coffee out and became outraged !
Union meanwhile just chose the best coach for the job - which is all that should matter. (link to Guardian story on photo)
2024-25 Season - Update
Union won their playoff in front of a record crowd of over 18,000 excited Unioner. In the second division the Women are playing their games at the Alte Foersterei in front of thr biggest crowds in the League. Very proud !