The women's team of 1. FC Union Berlin lost 1-0 in a friendly against second division VfL Wolfsburg II. In an even match, an unfortunate own goal by Lisa Heiseler in the 76th minute of the game was decisive.

VfL Wolfsburg II: Borbe - Libske (46. Arouna), Wöhrn (87. Meißner), Jonietz, Brinkmann, Theijs (87. Libske) - Beyer (63. Harting), Meißner (46. Blumenberg), Schaller (77. Burmann) - Lamontana Charon (87. Eder), Eder (46. Sergeeva)

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

Goals: 1:0 Heiseler (76. O.G)

Attendance: 50

Balanced first half ends goalless

Union's women, with Naika Reissner back after a long injury lay-off, put in a spirited performance at the Elsterweg stadium, proving themselves the equal of the record champions' highly rated U20s of the record champions, pressing them very hard at times. Zita Rurack had her first shot in the 9th minute, following a set-piece, but it flew just wide of the opponent's goal. But that was largely it from either side, with few chances, and little danger. In summery temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius, the teams largely balanced each other out in midfield, so that neither goalkeeper was tested, and the first half ended goalless.

Unlucky skipper: Wolfsburg prevail late on

Union made nine changes at the break, bringing some momentum into the game. After 51 minutes, Dina Orschmann fired the first shot on goa powerful drive from 35 yards, although the opposing goalkeeper was able to claim the ball safely. Melanie Wagner also had her first touch of the ball after almost an hour when she sayved from Mira Arouna. Wolfsburg II had the first major opportunity of the game five minutes later when striker Aleksandra Sergeeva looked to have scored from an acute angle, but Wagner was there again with a superbly stuck out foot to keep the deadlock.

Both teams continued to be very disciplined defensively and chances were scarce, but further good news, alongside that of the presense of Reissner, was the substitution of captain Lisa Heiseler in the 74th minute, back from injury.

Sadly, however, her comeback did not go as hoped. Only two minutes later, several players ducked under a Wolfsburg corner, and the ball was suddenly with the captain. who unfortunately deflected the ball into her own goal. Union threw everything they had at Wolfsburg in the remaining minutes, culminating with Heiseler's superb shot in injury time, but Anneke Borbe in the Wolfsburg goal stopped the ball on the line. A few moments later, the referee ended the game.

Views on the game

"The game was a good opportunity to test a few things again before we move on to the next league game next week with full focus. Thanks from us to the loud fans and VfL Wolfsburg for the match," said Union head coach Ailien Poese after the game.

Outlook

Next Sunday, 17.09.2023, Union will step out for the top match in the Regionalliga Nordost against FC Viktoria 1899 Berlin. Kick off at the Fritz-Lesch-Sportplatz in Dörpfeldstraße is at 14:00.