Union professionals begin preparations at two locations

Soccer Bundesliga - Union professionals begin preparations at two locations

Berlin (dpa/bb) – 1. FC Union Berlin's vacation is over. The team of new trainer Bo Svensson began their summer preparation on Monday at two different locations.

Approximately half of the squad underwent medical check-ups at the Berliner Charité's sports medicine. New signing Ivan Prtajin (SV Wehen Wiesbaden), captain Christopher Trimmel, vice-captain Rani Khedira, defender Robin Gosens, and midfielder Aljoscha Kemlein (returned from loan at FC St. Pauli) were among those present.

Another group conducted performance tests simultaneously at the training ground in Stadion An der Alten Försterei. On Tuesday, they switch locations. On Wednesday (10.30 am), Svensson invites the entire squad for their first proper training session.

Jubilee for President Zingler

However, some players will still be missing, including EM participants Frederik Rönnow (Denmark), Andras Schäfer (Hungary), Leopold Querfeld, goalkeeper trainer Michael Gspurning (both Austria), Tymoteusz Puchacz (Poland), and the newly signed Slovak Laszlo Benes (Hamburger SV). This also applies to the first test game on Saturday (3:30 pm) against Regionalligist Chemie Leipzig.

Union's training start on July 1, 2023, marked a significant date. Exactly 20 years ago, Dirk Zingler was introduced to the public as the new president. In 2004/05, Union went down to the then fourth-tier NOFV-Oberliga. Union had never played at a lower level before.

However, things improved after that. Union was promoted to the 2. Bundesliga in 2009. Since 2019, Union has been playing in the 1. Bundesliga. In 2023, the Iron Ones even qualified for the Champions League.

1. Bo Svensson, the new trainer of 1. FC Union Berlin, commenced their summer preparation with half of the squad undergoing medical checks at the Berliner Charité's sports medicine.
2. Contributing to this session were new signing Ivan Prtajin from SV Wehen Wiesbaden, captain Christopher Trimmel, vice-captain Rani Khedira, defender Robin Gosens, and midfielder Aljoscha Kemlein, who returned from loan at FC St. Pauli.
3. Concurrently, another group conducted performance tests at the training ground in Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
4. Christopher Trimmel, with his experience, will be crucial in guiding the team during their preparation for the upcoming Bundesliga season.
5. Rani Khedira, the former Germany international, will also play a significant role in this year's campaign, granted his vast experience in the Soccer Bundesliga.
6. Dirk Zingler, the president of 1. FC Union Berlin, celebrated a jubilee as July 1, 2023, marked 20 years since his introduction to the public as the new president.
7. Union's journey from playing in the fourth-tier NOFV-Oberliga in 2004/05 to qualifying for the Champions League in 2023 is a testament to their resilience and dedication.
8. Midfielder Robin Gosens will likely play a key role in Union Berlin's campaign, having represented Germany in the 2021 UEFA European Championship.

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