Union's Women Host HSV
Two Promoted Sides Meet Under the Lights
On Friday evening, the women’s team of 1. FC Union Berlin will open matchday eleven of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga when they host fellow promoted side Hamburger SV. Kick off is at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei is at 18:30
The lie of the land
Hamburger SV ended their run of six matches without a win in the DFB Pokal last weekend. They beat Bayer 04 Leverkusen on penalties to reach the quarter-finals for the second time in a row.
Union's cup journey, however, came to an end after the 1-0 loss at home to FC Carl Zeiss Jena. Despite dominating much of the gamee, and hitting the woodwork twice, Union are yet to make it past the round of 16.
Alongside Union’s women and 1. FC Nürnberg, Hamburger SV were promoted to the Bundesliga last season, returning to the top flight after 13 years away, having finished third in the 2. Liga. After ten matchdays, they are currently in 12th place with six points. Alongside their only league win so far against RasenBallsport Leipzig (1-0) on matchday four, they have managed three draws.
Head coach this season is Liése Brancão, making her the first Brazilian to coach a German Bundesliga team. The 44-year-old, who was born in Novo Hamburger, Brazil, worked at the Austrian champions SKN St. Pölten from 2016 to 2024.
HSV took immediate advantage of this connection to St. Pölten in the summer transfer market, signing four players from SKN, including Melanie Brunnthaler, who is currently the top scorer with three goals this season. There are five Austrians in the HSV squad, which represents the highest number in the league.
So far, there have been three competitive matches between the two team. While the DFB Pokal tie in 2019 was won by HSV, the opening match of last season's 2. Liga season ended 2-2. Union won the return match in hamburg, 2-1.
Union's coaching team will have to do without the services of Anna Aehling, Cara Bösl, Hannah Eurlings, Korina Janež, Leonie Köster, Fatma Şakar, Mariann Noack, Tanja Pawollek, Naika Reissner, Katja Orschmann, Nele Bauereisen, and Tomke Schneider on Friday evening.
“Hamburg are a defensively strong team that create and take advantage of their chances through quick and direct transitions. For us, it means being good with and without the ball, supporting each other, and giving everything we can to the game." said head coach Ailien Poese ahead of the match.
Tickets for the match are on sale to the public at all Union's Zeughaus stores as well as online. The Stadion An der Alten Försterei will open its gates and the box office at 17:00. Remaining parking spaces are available in front of the main stand for €8.
The match will be broadcast live in Germany on DAZN and MagentaSport. Union will provide updates via their live ticker in german, and in English on twitter. As ever a comprehensive, unique English match reportwill follow the final whistle.
