One week before the start of the second half of the Regionalliga Nordost season, the women's team of 1. FC Union Berlin will have one last test. This coming Sunday, 12 February 2023, the Eisernen will be travel to play Hamburger SV. Kick-off is at 2 pm at the Paul-Hauenschild-Sportanlage in Norderstedt.

The Opponents: HSV's similar ambitions

HSV are currently playing in the Regioalliga Nord, the same level as Union, and won the league last season by a distance, and without defeat. They missed out on promotion to the 2. Bundesliga, however, having lost to Turbine Potsdam II in the subsequent play-off. This was the cause of some disappointment, having been in the Bundesliga from 2003 to 2012, but they ultimately withdrew from the division, and were represented only in the Verbandsliga from 2016-2019.

Now they are focussed upon a return to the glory days of yesteryear, a fact underlined by the recent signing of defender Jobina Lahr in the winter, who moved to the Elbe from Bundesliga side SC Freiburg. Speaking about her transfer, the 31-year-old said, "I want to contribute to the club playing where it belongs, in the Bundesliga."

HSV have once again dominated the Regionalliga Nord so far this season, they are once again top of the table without dropping a single point, and have a very good chance of making it to the play-off again. Once there, a reunion with Union is still possible, provided they can overhaul top of the table Viktoria Berlin over the second half of their season.