“The planning for Oliva Nova began in August”

Already in August 2025, before the first Bundesliga game, Viktoria Tänzer, who serves as team manager this season, began preparations for the winter training camp. Initial scouting of potential hotels and training facilities, discussions with the coaching staff, and finally the renewed decision for the Spanish coastal town of Oliva, where the training facility proved itself last year due to the excellent conditions.

“The focus when choosing a location is on the optimal framework conditions for successful training operations and of course the question of whether the price-performance ratio is right,” explains Tänzer.

The friendly scheduled for Wednesday against CD Castellón also had to be organized in advance. “We work closely with an agency that suggests possible opponents to us and has taken care of organizational tasks during the intense first half of the season,” reports Tänzer.

Union’s women are provided for by their own chef

For the first time, the women’s professional team is accompanied by a chef from 1. FC Union Berlin. “Having our own chef here is definitely a plus and a further consequence of professionalization,” says Tänzer. The tasks and challenges of the man in the kitchen will be explored in more detail in tomorrow’s diary entry.

What makes a successful training camp for a team leader? Tänzer laughs: “When the arrival and departure go smoothly, that’s already half the battle.” It is equally important that the tightly scheduled timetable is adhered to and that the processes function correctly.

Playing Tetris – Logistics at the highest level

For equipment manager Jan Walle, the first discussions with the coaching team and management took place back in October and November to ensure that all the required materials arrive at the destination completely and on time. From complete training and match kits in multiple copies to balls, analysis equipment, laptops, printers, and tactical boards, to materials from the medical department: Nothing is left to chance, as you never know what circumstances await you on-site. This time, the logistical challenge was particularly great because everything had to be packed into boxes. Instead of traveling by van as usual, the equipment was also transported by plane this year. Despite minor delays with some pieces of luggage, everything worked out in the end, allowing the team to fully concentrate on training now.

A classic day at the training camp: Walle clarifies

On-site, Walle’s day usually starts at 7 a.m. in the kit room. There he prepares the training gear for the players and ensures that the coaching team and the team are well-equipped to go onto the pitch. Between breakfast, meetings, and pitch checks, he is constantly on duty, coordinating in the background, setting up materials on the pitch, and collecting laundry after training to have it cleaned in coordination with the hotel. After a short coffee break and chat following lunch, this routine repeats in the afternoon – preparation, training, organization – always with the aim of being available to everyone all day long. He has been receiving support for several months now from Sofia Wünsch, who is an enormous help, especially during frequent location changes. Whether transporting 30 boxes or answering players' questions: “Things are much easier with two of us. Because as an equipment manager, the one rule is – you have to be ready to react to everything around the clock,” says Walle.

Quote of the Day: “What stress?” – Viktoria Tänzer with a smile in response to the question of what makes her job so special despite all the stress.

The diary entries at a glance: