The women's team of 1. FC Union Berlin will welcome Blau-Weiss Hohen Neuendorf this Sunday for their last home match of the season, wanting to give a suitable send-off to their fans with a 10th home win of the season. Kick-off at the Fritz-Lesch Sportplatz is at 13:00. As usual, admission is free.

The opponents

At Christmas Blau-Weiss Hohen Neuendorf were second from bottom in the table with only six points, and it seemed as if relegation for the side who had spent so many years in the 2. Liga, and who hadn't sunk as low as the 4th flight in 20 years, was already sealed.

During the winter break, however, the Brandenburgers started to catch up and strengthened their squad, mainly with players from 1. FC Union Berlin. Under the direction of head coach Christian Liedtke, who was also on the Union touchline last season, six players were brought in from Köpenick. Goalkeepers Chayenne Krebs and Sarah Duszat as well as defender Yara Scheffler transferred from Union's first team, joined by Anabel Lüdecke, Amelia Rugala and Miya Hähnel from the seconds.

The transfer offensive in winter seems to have paid off, because Blau-Weiss Hohen Neuendorf now find themselves in 8th place. A fortnight ago they completed a resounding, if surprising, 5-0 victory over Bischofswerdaer FV.

However, it still seems that the Berlin Cup winners of 2015 will not be able to keep their place in the league. Since the Regionalliga Nordost will be reduced from 14 to 12 teams again next season, at least four teams will be relegated this season, with the possibility that this will even stretch to five. If the latter were to happen, Hohen Neuendorf would already down. If, on the other hand, only four teams are relegated, Blau-Weiss would theoretically still have a chance of staying in the league with two wins in the last two games.

The head to head

The balance between the two clubs, great rivals in the fight for promotion in the Regionalliga Nordost a few years ago, is even. In 23 duels Union have won eleven, Hohen Neuendorf have won nine, and there have been three draws. 

In recent years, however, these have mostly gone in favour of Sunday's hosts. Since Hohen Neuendorf's relegation from the second division in 2018, there have been seven matches, six of which have gone to Union. The last time they met, in Hohen Neuendorf last year, Elisa Spolaczyk scored four in a 6-0 win.

The coach's views ahead of the game

"Hohen Neuendorf have made significant changes to their squad over the winter," said Union head coach, Ailien Poese in mid-week. "So we are expecting a game with a lot of fight and will give everything to keep the three points in Köpenick in our last home game." 

And she finished with a call to action from the Unioner. "Dear fans, come and support the team and let's make the game a party at Dörpfeldstraße!"

The personnel

Elisa Schindler, Luca Scheel, Pauline Wimmer and Nour Youssef are all still be unable to play, while Celine Frank and Marie Becker are also question marks.

Service information

Please note that the match will kick off at 13:00, one hour earlier than usual. It is also worth coming early as the players who will be leaving 1. FC Union Berlin before the coming season will be bid farewell before the match.