Warming up and getting ready

The team bus brought the women’s team of 1. FC Union Berlin from the rainy Köpenick to Klosterpforte to the team accommodation, where the Unionerinnen were warmly welcomed by the sun and the staff with bright smiles.

After checking in and a quick table football match in the lobby, everyone was looking forward to a varied lunch buffet to refuel for the second half of the day. Afterwards, a team meeting and an activation in the gym were on the agenda - thus, mind and muscles were already prepared, only the ball at their feet was missing. Equipped with the instructions from head coach Ailien Poese, around 70 minutes followed on the pitch, focusing on various running drills combined with changes of direction, passing exercises, as well as different game formats.

The exhausted but happy players could take an ice bath on-site and then made their way to the hotel before gathering for dinner, which served both as a meal for strengthening and as a social exchange to conclude the day. Tomorrow, on Wednesday, the Union’s women will complete two training sessions – on the pitch and in the gym.

The squad

Union head coach Ailien Poese had 24 players at her disposal for the start of the training camp. Fatma Sakar, Elli Seiro, and Leonie Köster trained individually on the field, while Antonia Halverkamps and Judith Steinert followed a rehabilitation program. Not traveling with the team are European Championship participant Hannah Eurlings and goalkeeper Sarah Hornschuch, who are completing their rehab at home. Naika Reissner will join the training camp tomorrow. In the last few days, the winger spent time at the training camp of the Austrian national team.

The goalkeeper team will be joined by U23 goalkeeper Sherly Schulz, and young player Mariann Noack will join the training camp squad at the end of the week.

Quote of the day: “Have you seen anything funny today?” asked Jan Walle just before the sprinkler drenched the staff.