Sawt Falasteen - Eta appointment 'no surprise' for Union Berlin's ascendant women

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."

- 'Not a bit of a surprise' -

Eurlings said Eta's appointment is a reflection Union's values of hard work and merit, while also thinking outside the box.

"It's not a bit of a surprise here in the club or in Koepenick... It doesn't matter what your gender is, do you know a lot about football? You're the right person for the job."

Poese said the appointment was "a completely logical decision."

"She is highly competent, very good technically and very clear in her work and her footballing ideas."

Union are heavy underdogs on Wednesday but even taking on the German giants is an achievement in itself.

Bayern need just a point to claim the women's Bundesliga title but Poese said her side would relish their role as "party crashers".

Eurlings agreed, saying "of course it's an extra motivation. They think they can become champions on our pitch? Nobody signed up for that.

"They're the best team in the league. But of course, in football, you have 90 minutes and if we have a good day, we want to be the party crashers."

M.AbuKhalil--SF-PST