The Women Return to the Volksparkstadion
A Cup Quarter Final in Union's Sights?
Just six days after their eight-goal spectacular, 1. FC Union Berlin and Hamburger SV's womens' teams have to face each other again, this time in the DFB Pokal round of 16. Kick off on saturday in the Volsparkstadion is at 13:00.
The lie of the land
While Union reached the round of sixteen with their dominant, 5-0 win against 1. FC Magdeburg, HSV had to put in a little more effort in their first round tie. Having gone a goal down against the second division's SV Meppen, Paulina Bartz and Celainy Obispo turned the match around for Hamburg. The guests had to wait until the 90th minute for the winner.
Hamburger SV have been one of the Bundesliga's least predictable opponents this season. Though still in the lower half of the table after eight matchdays, they have repeatedly demonstrated their qualities at key moments. Especially in front of their home crowd, head coach Rodolfo Cardoso's side have proven to be difficult to play against, securing all six of their points so far at the Volksparkstadion.
The upcoming round of sixteen is the second Cup tie between the two clubs, the first having taken place in the first round of the 2019/20 season. Hamburger SV won 2-0. Now, almost seven years later, Union have the opportunity to advance to the quarter-finals for the first time in the club's history.
The Union defender, Jella Veit, played for the youth teams of Hamburger SV, while Marie-Louise Eta is also familiar with the Hanseatic city. Union's head coach wore the Hamburg in the Bundesliga during the 2011/12 season.
Union's coaching team will have to continue to do without the services of Anna Aehling, Hannah Eurlings, Korina Janež, Mariann Noack, Ida Heikkinen, and Nelly Smolarczyk.
“The cup is always special. We are looking forward to the game and to the great atmosphere at Volksparkstadion. We want to build on the good performance from last weekend, but at the same time know that it will be a completely different game. In the end, our goal is to reach the DFB Pokal quarter-finals for the first time in the history of Union’s women. For that, we will invest everything,” said Marie-Louise Eta in midweek
Tickets are still available through the HSV ticket shop. Almost 400 Unioner will be there to support their team at the Volkspark. The Fahr-Zeughaus will also be present on site. The match will be broadcast live on DFB.TV.
Union will provide updates in german via the club's live ticker about the match, as well as in English on titter. As ever, a comprehensive, English-only match report will be published on Union's site after the final whistle.
