Eta appointment 'no surprise' for Union Berlin's ascendant women
Union Berlin coach Marie-Louise Eta on her debut in the dugout. (Odd ANDERSEN) 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.