This Sunday, 23 March 2025, the second half of the season's two best sides face each other in the Women's 2. Bundesliga when 1. FC Union Berlin host SC Sand. Kick off at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei is at 14:00.

The lie of the land

SC Sand celebrated an important 1-0 win against SV Meppen last weekend, who were in third place at the time. The victory means that Sand not only remain unbeaten in the second half of the season, but have also closed the gap to third place, which would secure promotion, to three points.

Last weekend, Union drew 2-2 with FC Bayern München II. With a 2-0 lead, it looked like they would record their fifth victory in five competitive matches in 2025, but the hosts pulled themselves back into things in the 64th minute, before scoring a late equaliser from the penalty spot. Despite missing out on the win, the Union benefited from Meppen's defeat in Sand and continue to hold an eight-point lead over fourth place.

The opponents

With 13 out of 15 possible points, Sand have taken the same amount of points in the second half of the  season as only Union, and their 1-1 draw against Hamburger SV remains the only game not won this calendar year. They haven't lost a a 2. Bundesliga game since since their 4-2 in Nürnbug on the 8th matchday. Thanks to this streak, the blue-and-whites, who were seven points off third at Cjristmas, are now dreaming of a return to the Bundesliga, where the club played from 2014 to 2022.

Sand had already scored 31 goals by the end of the first half of the season, making them the league's top scoring team. Ten more goals have been added since, and they lead the scoring charts ahead of 1. FC Nürnberg (40), Union and Hamburger SV (37 each). Head coach Alexander Fischinger's side have also improved defensively. They have only conceded two goals in the second half of the season so far – the best record in the 2. Bundesliga.

SC Sand's attacking strength is mainly due to the ‘magic triangle’ in attack. Julia Matuschewski (7 goals this season), Sanja Homann (8) and Cecilia Way (9) have scored almost 60% of all Sand's goals. In the first half of the season, the trio were still a quartet: striker Leonie Kreil scored six times in twelve games, but moved to Bundesliga club FC Carl Zeiss Jena in January.

The head to head

The first fixture -  down at the French border, which marked the second-longest away trip of the season for the Berliners - was won by Union 2-1. Dina Orschmann scored the opening goal in the 8th minute, before Sarah Abu Sabbah extended the lead to 2-0 shortly after half-time. Sanja Homann managed only to score the consolation goal in the 89th minute.

The reunion

Fatma Sakar took her first steps in the Bundesliga with SC Sand from 2020 to 2022. The full-back made a total of 19 Bundesliga appearances for the blue and whites.

Personnel

Union head coach Ailien Poese will have to do without Maria Cristina Lange, Leonie Köster, Sophie Trojahn, Katja Orschmann, Marie Becker, Ida Heikkinen, Fatma Sakar and Nele Bauereisen on Sunday.

The coach's views ahead of the game

‘SC Sand are a strong team in the league, always able to get in front of the opposing goal with their variable play and are definitely able to take advantage of set-pieces," said Union's head coach, Ailien Poese ahead of Sunday's tie. "We will prepare for this this week, want to defend more consistently again and take the chances that arise to keep three points at the Alte Försterei." 

‘We were almost on a par with Union in the first leg and that gives us courage for Sunday. We have great respect for Union, but we are looking forward to a real football festival. Playing in front of such a crowd is a dream for every player. That will tend to be an advantage for us – everyone can show what they're made of,’ said SCS coach Alexander Fischinger.

Service information

The Stadion An der Alten Försterei and the ticket office will open at 12:30. On Sunday, ticket windows 1 and 2 will be open. Tickets for the game are available for purchase and at all Union Zeughaus stores, as well as online.

To avoid long waiting times at the entrances, fans are asked to arrive in good time. There will be limited parking available in the car park in front of the main stand. The parking fee is €4.

The game will be broadcast live on AFTV+. There will also be a club live ticker for the game as well as live updates in English on twitter.