Rise to the Top - Female laborers target the second German league
The women's football team of 1. FC Union Berlin has gained more recognition in Köpenick due to their fantastic performances in the Regionalliga Nordost. According to coach Ailien Poese, "The Union family has significantly expanded. People are taking notice and becoming more interested. Conversations are being held that probably didn't happen before as no one knew who we were or what this coaching group was."
If the Union women can successfully achieve promotion to the 2. Bundesliga, their popularity will continue to grow. With a perfect season record consisting of 22 wins out of 22 games and a massive goal difference of 145:5, they are set to face SV Henstedt-Ulzburg, the champions of the Regionalliga Nord, in their upcoming matches. The first match will take place this Sunday (2:00 PM) at Stadion An der Alten Försterei in front of more than 10,000 spectators. The second match will be held the following week in the small town near Hamburg, with a population of 30,000.
The excitement is tangible throughout Köpenick. Poese shares, "The district has undergone a transformation too. People recognize me more often when I walk around the city without any Union sports gear. I also see that posters are being displayed all over the place."
"We've gained a sense of confidence"
The pressure is immense. The entire city of Berlin anticipates the promotion after the team's incredible season. Poese says, "These are the two games that count, but they are also the games we've been preparing for the entire season. With this tangible opportunity to advance to the 2. League, we've gained a sense of confidence."
- FC Union Berlin has progressively increased its focus on women's football in recent years and has now turned it professional. The recently-opened training center Oberspree has provided a home and workspace not only for the women's team but also for the youth squad. Poese praises the dramatic improvement, stating, "It's a significant step forward for us. Before, it was football in the evening and then work, while now, it's just football during the day, like any other worker, with evenings reserved for rest and relaxation."
