The women's team of 1. FC Union Berlin had to admit defeat for the first time this pre-season, in their third match. At the Bundesliga promoted 1. FC Nürnberg, Union showed great fight, but ultimately lost, 3-2.

Celine Frank equalised Nürnberg’s opener in the first half (31.), but a double strike after about an hour gave the hosts the lead again in the second half. Anouk Blaschka scored the consolation in the 70th minute.

1. FC Nürnberg: Paulick (46. Krammer) - May (63. Steck), Guttenberger (46. Schmidt), Steck (46. Lindner) - Lein (46. Mühlemann), Mailbeck (46. Pöschl), Brunmair (63. Guttenberger), Scholz (63. Mai), Mai (46. Salfelder) - Bauereisen (16. Haim / 70. Mailbeck), Kusch (63. Lein)

1. FC Union Berlin: Wagner (46. Hornschuch) - Weiß, K. Orschmann (46. Becker), Niesler (74. Schulz), Bach (67. Youssef) - Frank (74. Abu Sabbah), Görsdorf (67. Trojahn), Heiseler (46. Blaschka) - Moraitou (74. Spolaczyk), Rurack (46. Lange), D. Orschmann

Goals: 1:0 Mai (19.), 1:1 Frank (31.), 2:1 Scholz (59.), 3:1 Salfelder (62.), 3:2 Blaschka (70.)

Nürnberg take the lead - Frank equalises

A difference in class was not recognisable at any time between these sides, despite the difference in leagues, and, indeed, it was Union who got the first chance in the 11th minute when Athanasia Moraitou was set up by Lisa Heiseler, but her attempt from the edge of the box flew inches over the crossbar. It wasn’t until the 14th minute when Melanie Wagner was challenged for the first time in the Union goal, but she was on hand to deal with a low shot the right.

But the hosts finally took the lead after almost 20 minutes after a corner. Union players were unable to clear and the ball fell at the feet of Franziska Mai, who finished uncompromisingly from close range. Union looked a little stunned, and it took a brilliant save by Wagner in the 21st minute to avoid conceding another. Following their own free-kick, Nürnberg quickly sprung a counter-attack, but Wagner spread herself and made a brilliant save.

Her team-mates took her lead, and Union became stronger again and finally, just as heavy rain and hail began to fall in Franconia, they scored a deserved equaliser. Celine Frank received the ball just outside the penalty area, taking it with her right foot and striking it into the far corner with her left foot from 25 yards metres. Union women almost took the lead in the 33rd minute when Heiseler appeared free in front of Nürnberg goalkeeper Lea Paulick, but she stopped Union’s skipper with strong reflexes. In stoppage time, Paulick was also on hand to touch Dina Orschmann's shot just around the post

Nuremberg double their lead - Blaschka cuts it back

After the break, Nürnberg had the first chance to score when striker, Mariana Scholz, dribbled past several opponents in the penalty area, but Sarah Hornschuch in goal - one of four changes after the break - was on the spot to save. The two teams cancelled each other out before a ball from the Bundesliga team slipped through the midfield in the 59th minute, so that attacker Emma Kusch only had to put the ball through for Scholz, who this time managed to score past.

Three minutes later, it was 3-1, and followed a similar pattern. Once again, the hosts broke quickly, Rebecca Salfelder finding plenty of space on the right and shooting the ball inside the back post after an hour.

Union quickly recovered from this double blow and looked only forwards. In the 70th minute, Maria Christina Lange laid off for Anouk Blaschka, who shot from just outside the box, surprising goalkeeper Kristin Krammer. The ball slipped under the stopper, it was now 3-1.
Union pushed and pushed in the closing minutes, and both sides were landing blows on each other as the clock wound its way towards time. Nour Youssef had the best chance in the 80th minute after a cross from Lange, but the 18-year-old shot just over from close range. After a free kick, Lange finally fired another attempt on goal in the 88th minute, but Kramer in goal was on the spot and thwarted the last chance of the game.

Views on the game

"Nürnberg were a super opponent today,” said Union’s head coach, Ailien Poese after the final whistle. “We had a very high intensity again and fought the duels the way we want to. In the end, we lost 3-2. But we had the chance to get at least a draw, and overall we delivered a convincing performance against a team promoted to the Bundesliga. We can be proud of that."

"I'm happy to have finally scored a goal again,” said Frank meanwhile. “We created some very good opportunities and need to be a bit more efficient in front of goal. We were able to keep up very well with a Bundesliga team. I'm proud of our team".

The outlook

For Union, this marks the end of the week-long training camp in Aschheim, Bavaria. Tomorrow (Sunday) they will start their return journey to Berlin-Köpenick. Their next friendly will take place on Sunday, 6 August 2023, at home in Dörpfeldstraße, when, 1. FC Union Berlin will host 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam. Kick off at 14:00. Admission is free.