Whether in Cyprus, Spain, or Austria – sweating happens everywhere

Training camps are a fixed part of season preparation, and even in winter, the bags were packed repeatedly to best prepare for the second half of the season away from the Berlin temperatures. In January 2000, Union flew to the Mediterranean island of Cyprus to train for 15 days. In 2006, they went to Turkish Side to escape the fresh snow in Köpenick.

In the summer of 2010, the preparation took place in Oberhof in the Thuringian Forest – including a trip to the ice canal for a thrilling ride in a four-man bobsled. In 2014, in Austrian Carinthia, the team watched the World Cup quarter-final Germany against France together. Always the focus: the daily training. While forest runs and circuit training dominated in the past, focused passing drills and pressing moments were on the agenda in Längenfeld in 2023.

Not to forget: the short training camps in Bad Saarow. Especially during the pandemic, daily routines like the morning coronavirus test were as much a part of the preparation as the training itself.

Some friendly opponents from past training camps stand out due to their names or the unusual setup. For example, in January 2019, Union faced the Chinese second-division team Shenzhen FC, in 2006 against Batman Petrol Spor in Turkey. The 3-3 draw against Udinese Calcio in the Dolomitenstadion in Tyrol also belongs to the matches that can be found in the lists of past training camps.

From D-Mark to daily reports

Daily reporting at Union has long been part of the training camp routine – and has been for many years. In the early 2000s, the diary included not only training content but also weather reports (“15 degrees and slightly cloudy”) or price information for interested travelers – back then still in D-Mark: flight including full board around 500.00 DM, double room 70.00 DM/day.

Today, the style has changed somewhat, as the reporting focuses more on sports content, insights behind the scenes, or conversations with players and coaches. And yet: the daily documentation has remained – ensuring that special moments are not lost.

Is someone stage-shy?

A ritual that runs through all the years is the team evening. Then the food can also be a bit heartier: In Herzogenaurach, there were burgers and grill classics; a year ago in Längenfeld, there were Wiener Schnitzel and Kaiserschmarrn.

At least as important as the food is what comes after: the singing performances of the newcomers – whether players, coaches, or staff. The song is freely chosen, and the performance is usually... creative. It’s not about perfect singing, but about participation.

“Training camp is training camp”

Even new players bring their own memories from previous training camps – different places, different routines, or different team structures. And yet: “Training camp is training camp,” as Oliver Burke puts it. The intensive sessions, where Union's playing style can quickly be internalized, are particularly valuable – but also the conversations on the sidelines where teammates get to know each other better off the pitch.

Because that is what it’s all about at its core: coming together. This happens in training, in the gym, during lunch, on walks, or on an improvised stage with a microphone.

Quote of the Day: "You are indeed a special team – I have never experienced a squad that consumes as much chili oil as you do." – A kitchen staff member was quite astonished by the spice level of the Union professionals.

The diary entries at a glance