Eta appointment 'no surprise' for Union Berlin's ascendant women

TL;DR

Marie-Louise Eta's appointment as head coach of Union Berlin's women's team was expected by insiders, reflecting the club's commitment to women's football. The team has seen significant growth, averaging 7,190 fans last season and preparing for a match against Bayern Munich with over 10,000 expected attendees.

Key points

Marie-Louise Eta appointed as head coach of Union Berlin's women's team
Union Berlin's women averaged 7,190 fans last season, highest in Germany
Over 10,000 spectators expected for match against Bayern Munich
New training complex will have identical facilities for men and women
Union Berlin emphasizes community integration and support for women's football

Mentioned in this story

Marie-Louise EtaAilien Poese

Union BerlinBayern MunichHannah Eurlings

Union Berlin coach Marie-Louise Eta on her debut in the dugout. (Odd ANDERSEN) (Odd ANDERSEN/AFP/AFP) The appointment of Marie-Louise Eta as head coach of Union Berlin's men's Bundesliga side may have captured global headlines, but few inside the ambitious club were surprised. The rapid rise of Union's women's side, who Eta will coach from the summer, is a direct result of the club prioritising the team. While still in the amateur regional leagues, Union took the unusual step of paying players and coaching staff professionally. Union are putting the finishing touches on a shiny new complex which will become the first training centre in European football with identical facilities for the men's and women's teams. Despite playing in the second division last season, Union's women averaged crowd was 7,190, the best mark in Germany and behind only Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United across Europe. The crowds have continued to climb this season as Union secured their top-flight status for next year. Union host powerhouse Bayern Munich on Wednesday and the club expect over 10,000 spectators, having opened up additional stands in their 22,000-capacity Stadion an der Alten Foersterei.

'It's about football' - A major reason for the support is the club's integration into the community in the eastern Berlin suburb of Koepenick The club is a core part of Koepenick's identity, giving rise to the saying: 'We don't go to the football, we go to Union'. Current women's coach Ailien Poese has had a two-decade association with Union and has guided the women's side through the ranks to the top flight. Poese, who will return to the club's academy when Eta takes over, said fans went to both the men's and the women's games "because ultimately it's about football. "I hope it gets established at many clubs, that it's their favourite club and there might be a home game every weekend, one week the women's and the next the men's," Poese told AFP. "I'm absolutely delighted with the extra attention and the identification with the women's team." Union forward Hannah Eurlings agreed. "It says a lot about the fans, that they're just in love with the club. And that's so nice to see." Eurlings, a Belgian international, signed with Union in the summer and said the club's focus on women's football was a key pull factor. "For me it was a bit scary to sign for a second Bundesliga team... But the talks I had with the club and with the women's manager, they were all positive. "They want to make the women's team equal to the men's team and also in financial things and also in the facilities we get. I think you don't find that that often in women's football, so I think that's a very big plus for me."

Q&A

What led to Marie-Louise Eta's appointment as head coach of Union Berlin's women's team?

Eta's appointment was a result of Union Berlin's prioritization of their women's team and their commitment to professionalizing women's football.

How has Union Berlin's women's team performed in terms of fan attendance?

Union Berlin's women's team averaged 7,190 fans last season, the highest in Germany and among the top in Europe.

What are the expectations for the upcoming match against Bayern Munich?

Union Berlin expects over 10,000 spectators for their match against Bayern Munich, highlighting the growing support for the women's team.

What is the significance of Union Berlin's new training complex for women's football?

The new training complex will provide identical facilities for both men's and women's teams, emphasizing Union Berlin's commitment to equality in football.