Training kick-off a little differently

For nearly two weeks, the Union women had some time off after the last game of the year 2025, a 2-1 victory against 1. FC Nürnberg just before Christmas, to recharge their batteries. Although the players kept fit during the Christmas and New Year period with individual training plans, the joint training kick-off is always something special – especially when it takes place almost 2000 kilometers away from the training center in Oberspree.

The Eisernen have no time to lose, as the Bundesliga routine starts again on 23.01.2026 with a home game against Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Therefore, the week in Spain should be used intensively to optimally prepare for the remaining twelve matches of the second half of the season.

Oliva Nova: Iron Winter Quarters

For two team members, the journey became a bit more complicated: Head coach Ailien Poese's flight to Berlin was canceled, so she spontaneously stayed in Spain and traveled privately to Oliva Nova. Defender Marina Georgieva also faced challenges due to the winter conditions and could not travel as planned with the team via Berlin due to the snowfall, instead flying directly from her home in Austria to Spain.

In the late afternoon, the rest of the Berlin travel group arrived at the destination. The coastal town of Oliva Nova and the modern training facility are well known within the club: Both the men’s and women’s teams have regularly held their winter training camps in the south of the Spanish province of Valencia in recent years. On-site, the Eisernen can expect not only excellent training conditions but also plenty of vitamin D compared to the cold winter in Berlin: Starting Tuesday, temperatures of up to 14 degrees and plenty of sunshine are expected, providing ideal conditions for the Köpenickerinnen.

The evening was a walk. The official training kick-off on the green lawn will take place on Monday.

Four new faces in the team

In recent days, the club has already announced the signings of defender Silje Helgesen from Norway and midfielder Lia Kamber from FC Basel. Both will meet their new teammates for the first time in Spain. Also new is goalkeeper Julia Kassen: The 23-year-old, who was under contract with FC Carl Zeiss Jena during the first half of the season, strengthens Union's goalkeeper team effective immediately.

Kassen already knows goalkeeper coach Alisa Vetterlein from their time together at VfL Wolfsburg, where she played primarily for the U20 team in the 2. Bundesliga from 2018 to 2023. She has also played with several current Union players: She participated in the 2022 World Cup in Costa Rica with the German U20 national team, which also included Sophie Weidauer in the squad. In addition to Judith Steinert and Samantha Steuerwald, she also played with Eileen Campbell during her time at SC Freiburg (2023-2025).

Not present are Korina Janež, Mariann Noack, and Tomke Schneider, who are continuing their rehab in their home regions. Melanie Wagner and Celine Frank did not travel to the training camp due to ongoing contract negotiations with other clubs. Thus, the squad on-site comprises 26 players. The coaching staff will also be expanded during the winter training camp by a fourth physiotherapist, Julia Söll, to further enhance the medical care on-site.

Quote of the day: “Oh, of course Cara!” - Tanja Pawollek in a high-pitched tone responding to the social media question about who her favorite roommate is.