FC Viktoria 1889 Berlin achieved the long-awaited promotion from the Regionalliga Nordost to the 2. Bundesliga at the end of last season. In the first second division season in the club's history, Viktoria have performed very well so far and currently sit in 5th place after 18 matchdays.

The club from the southwest of Berlin stand out in several ways. On one hand, the 'Himmelblauen' Viktoria have played out seven draws so far this season – the highest in the league. With only 18 goals conceded, they have the third best defence in the league, while their 27 goals scored so far have only been surpassed by four teams. Overall, games involving Viktoria have seen the fewest goals per match (2.5). Since the turn of the year, only six goals have been scored in their five matches, two of which have been scoreless draws.

In Pia Metzker and Sarah Abu Sabbah, two heroines of Union's recent past were integral on the journey from the Regionalliga Nordost to the second division championship title. Both transferred to theie neighbouring club in the summer. In January, a third player followed them in goalkeeper Melanie Wagner, who, too, had been with Union during the rise from the third tier to the top flight of football.

Metzker played 39 competitive matches for Union in two years, scoring five goals, one of which being the opener in front of 18,045 fans in the first promotion play-off match against SV Henstedt-Ulzburg. Abu Sabbah secured the top scorer title that season with 42 goals in 22 Regionalliga matches, totalling 51 goals in 42 matches over two years. Wagner was under contract with Union for three and a half years, served as the regular goalkeeper during the Regionalliga period, and played 52 competitive matches for Union.

In addition to the numerous players on international duty, Union's coaching staff will also have to do without Alma Aagaard, Anna Aehling, Eileen Campbell, Nele Bauereisen, Korina Janež, Mariann Noack, and Tomke Schneider.

 “Viktoria are having a solid second division season," said Union head coach, Ailien Poese, ahead of Thursday's friendly. "We want to use the Friendly to further internalise some aspects of the current season, but also to test other things.” 

The match will be played without spectators. Union will report on the match via the club’s own live ticker (German). Updates in English will be provided on twitter, with a full match report to follow on the Union website