Union Fight for a Point Against Nürnberg

1. FC Union came out of their second game of the 2. Liga season with a superb, battling, goalless draw. The result was made all the better, bearing in mind they had played the entire second half with only ten players on the pitch, following Eleni Markou’s sending off near the end of the first half.

1. FC Nürnberg: Etzold – Mai (46. Günster), Steck, Thöle, Fröhlich, Meroni (53. Scholz, 69. Bauereisen) – Brunmair (46. Salfelder), Brengel, Guttenberger – Desic (53. Kerim-Lindland), Lein

1. FC Union Berlin: Wagner – Sakar (80. Weiß), Markou, Becker, Steinert, Metzker – Heiseler (87. Janez), K. Orschmann, Moraitou – Halverkamps (71. Trohjan), D. Orschmann (71. Abu Sabbah)

The starting XI

Ailien Poese made three changes to the side that had begun against HSV in last weekend’s season opener at the Alte Försterei, the first of which coming in between the posts as Melanie Wagner replaced the injured Carla Bösl, behind a back three of Judith Steinert, in for Charleen Niesler, Marie Becker and Katja Orschmann. Pia Metzker and Fatma Sakar were the wing-backs, left and right.

In midfield were Lisa Heiseler and Athanasia Moraitou, with Eleni Markou given the holding role, while up top Dina Orschmann was joined by Antonia Halverkamps, replacing Sarah Abu Sabbah.

Attendance: 615

Orschmann hits the bar; Markou sees red

Union’s second game of their 2. Liga season started off patiently, two PACKED midfields facing off like on an ancient battle site, annulling each other’s danger, shielding their respective back threes. Nürnberg were noted for their parsimonious nature last season, and here they showed similar determination to stop anyone coming near their goal.

Indeed, neither side had a shot anywhere near target for the first 20 minutes, before Union showed their ability, cutting through those lines with neat and fast precision, as Dina Orschmann sent a flashing through ball towards the onrushing Antonia Halverkamps, making her first competitive start for the club.

Dina was at the heart of Union’s best moments early on, a quick combination with Moraitou over the halfway line brought a hint of panic among the massed ranks of the Nürnberg midfield for a moment. But largely the opening phases went without too many chances for either side. Eleni Markou was booked for a late lunge on Medina Desic. It was probably necessary at the time, as the Nürnberg striker threatened to break following a misplaced pass, but it was one she would come to rue, nonetheless.

If Wagner was still untested at this point, Union’s biggest chances came from distance, when after 25 minutes Antonia Halverkamps robbed the ball, pressing hard, and let fly from 35 yards, missing the goal by inches. It was that kind of game, and it seemed as if it would take a moment of genius to break the deadlock.

And with five minutes left to play, it almost came when Katja Orschmann hit an absurd free kick from out on the right. The ball was 35 yards out, not far from the touchline, and the keeper, Hannah Etzold, expected it to be launched into the box, but instead Union’s defender bent it wickedly towards goal, and it crashed off the bar, the dull clang ringing out across Nürnberg’s training pitches, spreading out into the distance.

But if Union were allowing themselves the chance of optimism, and an easier battle, they were to be disappointed, because within moments Markou had seen her second yellow card, called by the referee for using her elbow.

It looked harsh, and Moraitou, speaking after the game, said “It was a very hectic game on both sides… but I think we still did well and left our hearts on the pitch.”

They certainly did. Union were suddenly down to ten, and with it the hosts stepped up, Steinert having to clear off the line, belting the ball away into the blazing blue Franconian skies.

The whistle came soon after that, and Poese was straight off. She had plenty of thinking to do.

Union fight superbly, the game ends goalless

Many wondered how Union would manage with the step up to the second division, with the new physicality they would have to face, and the better conditions of the opponents. But few questioned their guts, and if the hosts thought Union would sit back, they would have to think again, as the (once again) excellent Fatma Sakar tore up the right as if straight from the off. Her cross flew across the box, but would come right back as Metzker let off a fine shot, this time provided by Halverkamps.

Suddenly, there was a game on, as Clara Fröhlich caused chaos at the other end, driving her cross into the box towards Medina Desic, before Steinert went close with a header at the other end, following Moraitou’s lofted free kick, in towards the back post.

Then Halverkamps and Dina Orschmann combined again, the ball coming back to Moraitou who was bundled over, 35 yards out. She stood over the free kick herself, memories going back to her equaliser in the cup a fortnight ago, if this one was far further out. She couldn’t, however, clear the wall.

Undaunted, Union refused to give up. Again, Halverkamps conjured a chance, bringing the ball onto her left foot after more of the superb Sakar’s tireless work on the right, and bending it just past the far post.

And when Nürnberg attacked, Union stood firm, as when Steinert and becker were both there to bully Meret Günster off the ball with fifteen minutes to play. Günster would get in a again soon after, but put her effort over the bar, and Nele Bauereisen hit her free kick from a dangerous position, 20 yards out, straight into the wall.

The two of them hasd both scored late goals in last week’s win over Ingolstadt. They wouldn’t have such joy here again. With the clock ticking, Union were sticking to their guns, they fought for every inch in the soul and strength-sapping sunshine, and even almost finished things off when Moraitou found Katja Orschmann with the cleverest of square passes, her shot dropping just over the bar with Etzold backpedalling desperately in vain.

Union were hanging on at the end, as there was still time for a last throw of the dice for the disappointed hosts, but Nürnberg couldn’t convert a corner in the dying minutes, nor could they break through when it took a wonderful challenge from Becker in the box to clear for a final corner as time added on was played. And Wagner seemed equal to every speculative lob, every single cross lofted into the box.

At the final whistle Ailien Poese could only praise her team and the fight they’d shown. “I think we can be satisfied, especially after the course of the game and the sending-off. It was a battle, especially at the end, but we didn’t let ourselves be intimidated.”

After two points from their first two games back in the 2. Liga, and with the spirit her players had shown, she had plenty to be proud of.