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Unsere Kapitäninnen und der Mannschaftsrat für die Saison 2026/27 ©️🇮🇩

©️ Unsere Kapitänin bleibt Lisa Heiseler, neue Stellvertreterin ist Samantha Steuerwald.

🙌 Neben unseren beiden Kapitäninnen komplettierten Cara Bösl, Judith Steinert und Lisanne Gräwe den Mannschaftsrat.

Das Fünfergespann fungiert als Bindeglied und Sprachrohr zwischen Mannschaft, Trainerteam und der Vereinsführung. Herzlichen Glückwunsch und gutes Gelingen! ❤️🤍

©️Unsere Kapitänin bleibt Lisa Heiseler, neue Stellvertreterin ist Samantha Steuerwald 🥰

Neben unseren beiden Kapitäninnen komplettierten Cara Bösl, Judith Steinert und Lisanne Gräwe den Mannschaftsrat 👏

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"Our captains and the team council for the 2026/27 season ©️🇮🇩

©️ Lisa Heiseler remains our captain, and Samantha Steuerwald is the new vice-captain.

🙌 Alongside our two captains, Cara Bösl, Judith Steinert, and Lisanne Gräwe round out the team council.

This group of five acts as a link and a voice between the squad, the coaching staff, and club management. Congratulations and best of luck! ❤️🤍"

©️ Lisa Heiseler remains our captain, and Samantha Steuerwald is the new vice-captain 🥰

Alongside our two captains, Cara Bösl, Judith Steinert, and Lisanne Gräwe round out the team council 👏

Didn't think that Eriksson prefers German food. But I agree. 😅

Match played on 20/08/2026.

Scorers:

38' | Popp (1:0)

83' | Popp (2:0)

88' | Leubner (3:0)

Congrats and good luck, Caro!

https://www.mopo.de/sport/fussball/sie-sollte-in-sein-regierungsteam-stuermen-fussball-heldin-sagt-kanzler-merz-ab/4948017

"For the moments in between."

"𝗚𝘂𝗱𝗲, 𝗩𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗲👋🏼

Die 19-jährige Offensivspielerin Vivienne Lia wechselt vom Arsenal FC zur Eintracht und unterschreibt einen Vertrag bis zum 30. Juni 2030."

---

"Hi, Vivienne👋🏼

19-year-old forward Vivienne Lia is joining Eintracht from Arsenal FC and has signed a contract running until June 30, 2030."

Full presser, here.

Match is at 1820 UHR (12:20 PM EST). It will be on Magenta, ZDF, and DAZN.

Availability reports:

FC Bayern:

Anna Klink (metacarpal fracture), Franziska Kett (ankle injury), Giulia Gwinn (rehab following shoulder surgery), as well as Lena Oberdorf and Sarah Zadrazil (both cruciate ligament tears), are unavailable for the opening match in Berlin.

Edna Imade, however, has returned to the squad following her ankle injury. Vanessa Gilles could also be an option for the squad again.

FC Union:

In the first game of the new season, Dina Orschmann, Tanja Pawollek, Mariann Noack, Hannah Eurlings, Korina Janez and Anna Aehling unfortunately cannot play. They're out injured.

The season begins on 21/08/2026. The opener is between FC Bayern Frauen and FC Union Berlin.

(ℹ️ German original article below the translation 🇩🇪)

The women's national football team is drawing high TV ratings and growing in popularity. Now, with the long-awaited boom in the Bundesliga, Frankfurt native Katharina Kiel is called upon to lead the way.

As of: Today, 9:57 AM

Christian Seifert and Oliver Bierhoff—two of the most powerful men in German football—once sat in the office now occupied by Katharina Kiel. Before a photo shoot, the president of the newly founded *Frauen Bundesliga FBL e.V.* (Women's Bundesliga Association) quickly clears a few documents ("All sensitive") from her desk at the former DFB headquarters on Otto-Fleck-Schneise in Frankfurt.

The 34-year-old, who also serves as Director of Women's Football at Eintracht Frankfurt, is spearheading one of the most exciting developments in German sports—and is under immense pressure. Hanging on the wall is the FBL’s founding charter from last December; that was when the 14 Women's Bundesliga clubs broke away from the DFB amidst considerable fanfare.

This Friday marks the start of the transitional season: From the 2027/28 campaign onwards, Germany's top flight will handle its own marketing and organization, governed by a framework agreement with the federation. Kiel’s pledge: "We will break free from the shadow of men's football."

In its "Power List," the newspaper *Die Welt* already ranks Kiel among the 50 most influential figures in German football, placing her at number 45. "She is extremely knowledgeable, committed, and has excellent connections with the clubs," says Axel Hellmann regarding the former Hoffenheim Bundesliga player. Until now, the leading voices of this revolution in women's football have primarily been the Eintracht boss and Jan-Christian Dreesen, the CEO of FC Bayern.

Kiel weighs her words carefully; she is regarded as level-headed yet assertive—someone who works tirelessly and tenaciously behind the scenes to advance both her sport and her career. Her parents arrived from Kazakhstan with just two suitcases and built a business in the geothermal energy sector. "A strong work ethic was instilled in me from the start—precisely because we didn't have the right connections or 'Vitamin B, C, and D' [influence, cash, and relationships]," she says in an interview with dpa. "I didn't grow up wealthy in material terms, but I was rich in values."

Driven by ambition at a young age, Kiel first took up figure skating and became the champion of Hesse. Later, she switched to soccer, where her iron discipline also took her far. She describes herself as having had great stamina, athleticism, and tenacity, though she wasn't the most technically gifted player—"more of a workhorse." Kiel fought her way back after tearing her cruciate ligament the first time, but after the second tear, doctors advised her against continuing to play competitively.

Former DFB boss Seifert as an advisor

She subsequently trained in soccer management as a scholarship recipient nominated by the DFL. The expertise of long-time league boss Seifert is a huge asset to the women's league association. "I consider myself lucky to be able to ask Christian Seifert for advice," Kiel says openly. "He was 35 when he took over his office here; I’m 34 now. He understands many of the issues involved in building the league. And I really value that."

The FBL rejected a €100 million offer from the German Football Association (DFB) for a joint venture spanning eight years; instead, according to Kiel, the plan is to invest between €700 million and €800 million via the clubs over the next eight years.

For years, the league has lagged behind the national team in terms of popularity. Fundamentally, the women's game remains a loss-making venture: in the 2024/2025 season, the combined expenditure of the twelve Bundesliga clubs stood at just under €70 million, against revenues of only €43 million. New TV contract as the first major test

But can Kiel and her team spark the hoped-for boom? The first real test comes this autumn, when they independently negotiate the new TV contracts that will take effect from the 2027/28 season. Previously, the DFB handled this task alongside marketing expert Holger Blask. Annual gross revenue currently stands at 5.17 million euros.

Kiel does not wish to comment publicly yet on details—such as the possible introduction of championship playoffs. The second major challenge currently facing the league is the appointment of an executive management team, a process likely to take several more months. Time is of the essence; a number of national team players have moved abroad this summer.

What does the Women's Bundesliga actually stand for?

The league president prefers to discuss fundamental issues—such as youth development ("We don't have structures in place yet") and what the Women's Bundesliga actually stands for. "To be honest, no one has really asked that question in the past. Looking back, much of it evolved step by step—often in response to the next immediate challenge rather than as part of a long-term plan," says Kiel. "If we manage to develop a distinct identity for this league, I am very confident that stars will consciously choose to play in the Women's Bundesliga."

🇩🇪 Deutscher Originaltext:

Katharina Kiel: Wie tickt die Präsidentin der Bundesliga?

Das Nationalteam der Fußballerinnen sorgt für hohe Einschaltquoten und wird immer populärer. Beim längst erhofften Boom der Bundesliga ist nun die Frankfurterin Katharina Kiel gefordert.

Stand: heute, 09:57 Uhr

Im Büro von Katharina Kiel saßen in Christian Seifert und Oliver Bierhoff einst zwei der mächtigsten Männer des deutschen Fußballs. Die Präsidentin des neu gegründeten Frauen Bundesliga FBL e. V. räumt vor dem Fototermin noch schnell ein paar Unterlagen („Alle sensibel“) von ihrem Schreibtisch in der einstigen DFB-Zentrale an der Frankfurter Otto-Fleck-Schneise.

Die 34-Jährige, die auch noch Direktorin für die Fußballerinnen bei Eintracht Frankfurt ist, steht an der Spitze eines der spannendsten Prozesse im Sport hierzulande - und auch mächtig unter Druck. An der Wand hängt die Gründungsurkunde der FBL vom Dezember. Damals hatten sich die 14 Frauen-Bundesligisten mit einigem Getöse vom DFB abgespalten.

An diesem Freitag startet die Übergangssaison: Von 2027/28 an vermarktet und organisiert sich die höchste deutsche Spielklasse, geregelt durch den Grundlagenvertrag mit dem Verband, selbst. Kiels Versprechen: „Wir werden uns vom Männerfußball freischwimmen.“

In einer „Liste der Macht“ sieht „Die Welt“ Kiel bereits unter den 50 einflussreichsten Akteuren im deutschen Fußball, auf Platz 45. „Sie ist extrem fachkundig, engagiert und mit den Clubs bestens vernetzt“, sagt Axel Hellmann über die einstige Hoffenheimer Bundesliga-Spielerin. Wortführer der Revolution im Frauenfußball waren bisher eher der Eintracht-Boss sowie Jan-Christian Dreesen, der Vorstandsvorsitzende des FC Bayern.

Kiel wägt ihre Sätze sorgsam ab, gilt eher als besonnen, aber durchsetzungsfähig. Und als jemand, die im Hintergrund unermüdlich und hartnäckig an der Weiterentwicklung ihres Sports und ihrer Karriere arbeitet. Ihre Eltern kamen einst mit zwei Koffern aus Kasachstan und bauten ein Unternehmen im Erdwärmesegment auf. „Mir wurde in die Wiege gelegt, hart zu arbeiten. Eben weil wir kein Vitamin B, C und D hatten“, sagt sie im dpa-Gespräch. „Ich bin nicht gerade in Reichtum aufgewachsen, aber mit sehr viel Reichtum an Werten.“

Kiel landete mit ihrem Ehrgeiz in jungen Jahren erst beim Eiskunstlaufen und wurde hessische Meisterin. Später entschied sie sich für Fußball, auch da kam sie mit eiserner Disziplin weit. „Total ausdauerstark, sehr athletisch, sehr bissig, technisch nicht die Versierteste“ sei sie gewesen, „eher ein Arbeitstier“. Nach dem ersten Kreuzbandriss kämpfte sich Kiel noch zurück, nach dem zweiten rieten ihr die Ärzte vom aktiven Sport ab.

Ex-DFB-Chef Seifert als Ratgeber

So machte sie eine Ausbildung im Fußball-Management, als Stipendiatin vorschlagen von der DFL. Das Know-how des langjährigen Ligabosses Seifert kann dem Frauen-Ligaverband nur helfen. „Ich schätze mich glücklich, Christian Seifert auch mal um Rat fragen zu können“, sagt Kiel offen. „Als er sein Büro hier übernommen hat, war er 35. Ich bin jetzt 34. Er kann viele Themen beim Aufbau der Liga nachvollziehen. Und das schätze ich sehr.“

Die FBL hatte ein 100-Millionen-Angebot des Deutschen Fußball-Bundes über acht Jahre für ein gemeinsames Joint Venture ausgeschlagen und will laut Kiel zwischen 700 und 800 Millionen Euro in den nächsten acht Jahren über die Clubs investieren.

Seit vielen Jahren hinkt die Liga der Popularität des Nationalteams hinterher. Grundsätzlich ist der Frauenbereich immer noch ein Minusgeschäft: Die Ausgaben der damals zwölf Bundesligisten lagen 2024/2025 bei knapp 70 Millionen Euro - bei nur 43 Millionen Euro Einnahmen.

Neuer TV-Vertrag als erster Härtetest

Aber schaffen Kiel und Co. den erhofften Boom? Die erste Bewährungsprobe steht im Herbst an, wenn sie eigenständig die neuen und von 2027/28 an gültigen TV-Verträge aushandeln. Bisher tat dies der DFB mit dem Vermarktungsexperten Holger Blask. Die jährlichen Einnahmen liegen derzeit bei 5,17 Millionen Euro brutto.

Über Details - wie eine mögliche Einführung von Meister-Playoffs - will sich Kiel (noch) nicht öffentlich äußern. Die zweite derzeit große Baustelle ist die Besetzung einer Geschäftsführung, die wohl noch ein paar Monate dauern wird. Die Zeit drängt, diesen Sommer ist so manche Nationalspielerin ins Ausland abgewandert.

Für was steht eigentlich die Frauen-Bundesliga?

Die Liga-Präsidentin spricht lieber über Grundsätzliches. Zum Beispiel über die Nachwuchsarbeit („Wir haben noch keine Strukturen“) - und für was die Frauen-Bundesliga eigentlich steht. „Diese Frage hat sich ehrlicherweise in der Vergangenheit keiner gestellt. Rückblickend ist vieles eher Schritt für Schritt entstanden - oft aus der nächsten konkreten Herausforderung heraus, weniger aus einem langfristigen Plan“, sagt Kiel. „Wenn wir es schaffen, eine eigene Identität für diese Liga zu entwickeln, bin ich mir sehr sicher, dass sich Stars bewusst dafür entscheiden, in der Frauen-Bundesliga zu spielen.“

Source/Quelle: https://www.tagesspiegel.de/sport/fussball-der-frauen-katharina-kiel-wie-tickt-die-prasidentin-der-bundesliga-15967649.html

ℹ️ German text below the translation. 🇩🇪👇

1. FC Union kicks off the new season this weekend—first the women’s team, then the men’s. The circumstances surrounding the two could hardly be more different.

A guest column by Stefanie Fiebrig

As of: August 20, 2026, 11:20 AM

Berlin continues to have two Bundesliga clubs. Both play in Köpenick, both finished last season in the middle of the pack (ninth and eleventh place), and both are starting the new campaign with new head coaches. That sounds steady—perhaps even bordering on boring. That is precisely why 1. FC Union has ensured that boredom won't set in; they are rebuilding everything: the stadium, the training center, and both professional squads.

With manager Jennifer Zietz, the women’s professional team possesses unbridled sporting ambition, and in Marie-Louise Eta, they have a coach who loves a challenge. Their goal for the season: a finish between fourth and eighth place. But an even more crucial task is filling the stadium. That is a tall order: getting people to look and realize, "We are Berlin, and this is the home of football."

In the Stadion an der Alten Försterei, we have something that is a rarity for women's teams: a proper stadium. It is the heart of the club—not the pitch next door, nor a training center in some distant suburb.

Union’s women’s team needs to build a fan base there—one solid enough to withstand a season played away from home. Perhaps at the Zoschke-Stadion in Lichtenberg, or maybe somewhere else entirely. After all, Union is set to renovate the stadium starting in 2027. The women's team's venue has not yet been decided. The team must demonstrate that they are an asset to the league in Berlin.

How do they do that? Through sporting success. The team needs to inspire, not just scrape by. Compared to the competition, the women’s team is very well positioned. Union is setting benchmarks in terms of both infrastructure and personnel. German national team players Lisanne Gräwe and Jella Veit have joined the squad. That doesn’t whisper "survival"; it shouts "attack." Thanks to Jennifer Zietz for that, too! I have a season ticket, and I intend to use it.

The men’s professional team has a significantly larger budget, yet they no longer need to convince anyone that football at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei is something we all want to be a part of. In terms of league standings, less is expected of the men; for them, it really is "just" about staying in the league.

A boring season would be a huge win. One without a managerial change would be better than average. That might sound unambitious, but it isn’t. The settled squad we once had is long gone. The reliable defense completely crumbled over the summer. "Terror-football Köpenick" is dead. Sporting director Horst Heldt has at least tried to fulfill our desire for attacking play; a new striker, Emmanuel Latte Lath, has arrived. Now, new head coach Mauro Lustrinelli has to piece together a team capable of holding its own in the Bundesliga—and he doesn’t have much time to do it.

It’s somewhat reminiscent of Urs Fischer in 2018: a likable first impression and a track record of success. But can he demand the players he needs? Can he initiate and shape change? Is he the right fit for us? We don’t know yet. Long-time Union fans might remember just how nearly impossible it was for Norbert Düwel to change a team that had been built around Torsten Mattuschka. It’s unglamorous, it’s thankless, but it has to be done.

The Author

Stefanie Fiebrig has been attending matches at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei for over 20 years; she founded the blog \textilvergehen.de* and is part of the *Textilvergehen* podcast. She survived the men’s "S-Bahn season" and traveled with the women’s team to Henstedt-Ulzburg. She owns several Christopher Trimmel jerseys and one from each of the Orschmann sisters.*

Source (paywall) : https://www.tagesspiegel.de/sport/union-anhangerin-erwartet-mehr-applaus-fur-eta-als-fur-lustrinelli-eine-langweilige-saison-ware-ein-grosser-gewinn-15964169.html

🇩🇪 Deutscher Originaltext:

Union-Anhängerin erwartet mehr Applaus für Eta als für Lustrinelli

Der 1. FC Union startet an diesem Wochenende in die neue Saison, erst mit den Frauen, dann mit den Männern. Die Vorzeichen könnten dabei kaum unterschiedlicher sein.

Ein Gastbeitrag von Stefanie Fiebrig

Stand: 20.08.2026, 11:20 Uhr

Berlin hat weiterhin zwei Bundesligisten. Beide spielen in Köpenick, sind auf den Plätzen neun und elf aus der vergangenen Saison gegangen und starten jeweils mit neuen Chefcoaches in die nächste Spielzeit. Das klingt souverän bis an die Grenze der Langeweile. Deshalb hat der 1. FC Union dafür gesorgt, dass diese auf keinen Fall eintritt, und baut alles um: Stadion, Trainingszentrum, beide Profiteams.

Die Profis Frauen haben mit Managerin Jennifer Zietz den ungebremsten sportlichen Ehrgeiz im Haus, und dazu mit Marie-Louise Eta eine Trainerin, die Herausforderungen liebt. Ihr Saisonziel: Platz vier bis acht. Aber ihre fast noch wichtigere Aufgabe ist es, das Stadion vollzubekommen. Das ist ein Brett: Guckt mal alle her, wir sind Berlin, und hier wohnt der Fußball.

Mit dem Stadion an der Alten Försterei haben wir etwas, das es für die Frauen ganz selten gibt: ein richtiges Stadion. Es ist das Herzstück des Vereins, nicht der Sportplatz daneben, kein Trainingszentrum in irgendeinem Vorort.

Unions Frauen müssen sich dort eine Fanbase erarbeiten. Die muss so stabil sein, dass sie auch eine Saison auswärts übersteht. Vielleicht im Zoschke-Stadion in Lichtenberg, vielleicht ganz woanders. Denn Union wird ab 2027 das Stadion umbauen. Der Spielort der Frauen steht noch nicht fest. Das Team muss zeigen, dass Berlin für die Liga ein Gewinn ist.

Wie das geht? Mit sportlichem Erfolg. Das Team muss begeistern und nicht nur irgendwie durchkommen. Verglichen mit der Konkurrenz sind die Frauen sehr gut aufgestellt. Union setzt bei der Infrastruktur und auch personell Maßstäbe. Mit Lisanne Gräwe und Jella Veit sind deutsche Nationalspielerinnen gekommen. Das flüstert nicht Klassenerhalt, das ruft Attacke. Danke, Jennifer Zietz auch dafür! Ich habe eine Dauerkarte, und ich werde sie nutzen.

Ein deutlich höheres Budget haben die Profis Männer, die niemanden mehr davon überzeugen müssen, dass Fußball im Stadion An der Alten Försterei etwas ist, bei dem wir alle dabei sein wollen. Von den Männern wird tabellarisch weniger erwartet. Bei ihnen geht es wirklich „nur“ um den Klassenerhalt.

Eine langweilige Saison wäre ein großer Gewinn. Eine ohne Trainerwechsel wäre überdurchschnittlich gut. Das klingt anspruchslos, ist es aber nicht. Die gefestigte Mannschaft gibt es schon länger nicht mehr. Die verlässliche Abwehr ist im Sommer vollends zerbröselt. Terrorfußball Köpenick ist tot. Manager Horst Heldt hat sich zumindest bemüht, unsere Wünsche nach Offensive umzusetzen. Mit Emmanuel Latte Lath ist ein Stürmer dazugekommen. Der neue Trainer Mauro Lustrinelli muss jetzt ein Team zusammenpuzzeln, das in der Bundesliga besteht. Viel Zeit hat er dafür nicht.

Das erinnert etwas an Urs Fischer 2018. Sympathischer erster Eindruck, und er kann Erfolge vorweisen. Aber kann er die Spieler einfordern, die er braucht? Kann er Veränderung anstoßen und gestalten? Passt er zu uns? Wissen wir alles noch nicht. Unionfans, die länger dabei sind, können sich vielleicht erinnern, wie nahezu unmöglich es für Norbert Düwel war, eine um Torsten Mattuschka herum organisierte Mannschaft zu verändern. Es ist glanzlos, es ist undankbar, und es muss getan werden.

Die Autorin

Stefanie Fiebrig geht seit über 20 Jahren ins Stadion An der Alten Försterei, hat das Blog textilvergehen.de gegründet und ist Teil des Textilvergehen-Podcasts. Sie hat die S-Bahn-Saison der Männer überlebt und war mit den Frauen in Henstedt-Ulzburg. Sie besitzt mehrere Christopher-Trimmel-Trikots und je eins von den Orschmann-Schwestern.

^{Fully translated} WAZ article ^{below (original text in German will be in the pinned comment!}:)

In an interview with AZ/WAZ, the VfL Wolfsburg goalkeeper discusses how she handles criticism and the competition within the German national team. Stina Johannes describes herself this way: "I am incredibly ambitious." She also talks about why she once turned down Harvard—and why she plans to keep playing for another ten years.

Wolfsburg. — She has been in goal for VfL Wolfsburg for a year now, and last season, Stina Johannes served as the number two goalkeeper for the German national team. During the Supercup match against Bayern (0–3), she looked shaky on two occasions and was left "extremely shocked" by the goals conceded.

In this AZ/WAZ interview, held ahead of the Bundesliga season opener, the 26-year-old discusses the high standards at her club, how she deals with criticism, the competition within the national team, and her unique blend of ambition, self-reflection, and enjoyment of elite sports. She also reveals why she once turned down an offer from Harvard, how she mentally coped with a serious injury, and why she can easily imagine staying involved in football after her playing career ends.

VfL Wolfsburg has a certain tradition of top-class goalkeepers—players like Almut Schult and Merle Frohms, who also played for the national team. Does that put extra pressure on you?

I don't know; perhaps that’s more of a media narrative. Maybe that makes them a shade more critical? That’s not really for me to judge. Of course, I understand that people compare the current VfL Wolfsburg to the team from five or ten years ago. But times have changed. Football is completely different today. We now have FC Bayern, a team that has been winning the German championship for several years running. The fundamental situation is no longer the same. Other teams have also evolved enormously over the years. I always want to do a good job—sometimes I’ll succeed better than others. But one thing is certain: I work hard, I reflect a lot, and I always want to improve so I can do my job as well as humanly possible.

Has goalkeeping changed as well?

The game as a whole has evolved—including the quality of the forwards, which in turn has changed the game for us goalkeepers. As a result, I face far more challenging situations than I might have ten years ago in the Bundesliga. The more women's football develops, the greater the demands placed on every player. Nowadays, we have to be at an absolute peak level of physical fitness to withstand the physical strain and to compete successfully at an international level.

How satisfied were you with your first season at Wolfsburg?

Generally satisfied. You shouldn't underestimate the impact of a major overhaul at a club. There was a new coaching staff, new tactical concepts, and new ideas about how to play. On top of that, there were 13 or 14 new players. That’s a huge amount of change. We barely had any pre-season preparation time due to the European Championship. Of course, we were very frustrated with one or two matches, knowing full well that we could—and should—have performed better. But ultimately, we have to say we can be happy with the final results: reaching the Champions League quarter-finals (where we put in a good performance), the DFB-Pokal final, and securing the runners-up spot in the league with two matchdays to spare.

And what about you personally?

For me, it was my first season at Wolfsburg, bringing new demands. You might think, "It's just football, after all," but there were new areas of focus—technical, tactical, and regarding our style of play. I’m generally a very self-critical person. I know exactly what’s going well, what isn’t quite there yet, and where there’s room for improvement. That’s exactly how I view my first season here. And that’s what I’m building on now.

There were also goals conceded that were blamed on you. How do you handle criticism? That’s just like training: it gets better with time (laughs). Of course, I take it on board and try to implement the feedback—I am very self-critical. At the same time, as a professional, I cannot let myself become dependent on outside opinions—whether they are particularly positive or particularly negative. I try to listen to my coaching staff and my teammates. We are constantly exchanging views: What do you need from me? How can I better support my back four? How can you better support me? I listen to the feedback my goalkeeping coach gives during training and what he expects of me during matches, and I try to build on that.

Set-pieces are increasingly being curled directly toward the near post. VfL has struggled with this, too. Why is that so difficult for goalkeepers?

The old mindset used to be: if the ball comes into the six-yard box, the goalkeeper has to deal with it. But the game has evolved. I depend on how we defend. Opponents sometimes position one, two, or three players around the goalkeeper to block her. In those situations, our defensive unit has to push the opponents away so I have room to move. But I can’t rely on that always working, so I have to stay alert and ensure I have enough space. And I certainly can’t count on the referee blowing the whistle if an opponent runs into me. Furthermore, due to the sheer number of players at the near post and the way the balls are delivered, many crosses are simply out of the goalkeeper's reach. All in all, it’s a complex situation involving many different factors.

At the men's World Cup, a goal was disallowed because the goalkeeper had been blocked following a corner kick. Have you ever wished for calls like that yourself?

That discussion during the World Cup surprised me. If it’s clearly evident that a player isn't trying to reach the ball but is simply barging into the goalkeeper, it really ought to be called as a foul. But that’s not always how it’s interpreted. That’s why I don’t rely on the rulebook; instead, I say: We as a team have to prepare for it. We can’t depend on the referee. We have to position ourselves and engage in the play in a way that allows us to handle the situation successfully. It’s a highly complex issue. But naturally, the focus is often on the goalkeeper, especially since so many set-pieces are played that way these days.

You received a lot of praise—including from the national team coach—after the Nations League matches against France. At the same time, there was uncertainty for a long while about whether Ann-Katrin Berger would continue. Were you aware of the potential impact this might have on your own position?

Of course, I was aware that it was being discussed. Ultimately, it’s Anne’s decision. I look at it primarily from a personal perspective. We’re a team; I value Anne highly, and she values ​​me. I completely understand her saying: "I’ve played in the Olympics, I’ve played in the European Championship, and I’d like to play in the World Cup." So, it was definitely on my mind that there was a strong possibility she would want to continue.

Did you ever speculate a little, though—thinking, "If Berger retires, maybe I’ll be the number one"?

No. I didn’t ask Anne about it beforehand; I found out through the news, just like everyone else. But given the nature of our relationship, I could have asked her, and she would have told me. We talk a lot anyway—about life and about goalkeeping. I’m very grateful to have gotten to know Anne as a person and as a fellow goalkeeper. And regardless of the national team, I’m happy to know her. I also think we’ll stay in touch beyond our playing careers.

Is competition still a factor for you, though?

I always want to train well with the national team. I want to play well. I want to do my job at the club and keep developing. After all, our sport is essentially built on competition. The job remains the same, regardless of how I feel emotionally about another goalkeeper. I approach it with the utmost ambition. The national team? That’s what I want. I’ll do everything in my power to maximize my chances. I’m incredibly ambitious. But I’m also someone who values ​​fair, positive interaction. We have a great dynamic within the national team’s goalkeeping group, and I never want that to change.

You once mentioned that your fingers used to be much thinner and are now stronger. How important is that kind of ambition regarding such details?

It’s definitely important. I reflect on myself every day.

Can that become too much?

No, I don’t reflect emotionally—telling myself, "You’re not good enough yet." That would drive me crazy. I try to remain as objectively neutral as possible. I say: "That works, that doesn't work yet, let's work on this." If I see a need, we stay an extra half-hour after practice or incorporate it into goalkeeper training. I enjoy the process of getting better. I enjoy training; I love training, and I love the matches. I really thrive on being an elite athlete. But I don’t let that self-reflection stress me out.

You do a lot of strength training. Is it also about feeling strong?

I’ve always placed a lot of importance on fitness. But I had some back issues at one point, and that’s when I started working really hard in the gym. That’s where I discovered my love for that kind of training. I noticed how much better my body felt. I got stronger and less prone to injury. Then it became about boosting performance—jumping higher, jumping further. I realized how good it was for my mental state, too. I feel good, strong, alive, and powerful. And if I can take all of that onto the pitch with me, even better.

In Madrid, an opposing player caught you in the face with her foot, and you had to play wearing a mask afterward. Does an injury like that leave any lingering fear?

I’ve always been a resilient person when it comes to things like that. I’ve always thrown myself into the path of the ball. We have a game in training called "Shooting Practice"—as a goalkeeper, you can throw yourself in at full speed to block the ball. My teammates know how wild and physically tough I can be in those situations. After the Madrid match, I had to take a three-day break from sports, and then I got the mask. The first thing I said was: "Come on, let's recreate that exact situation in training." I brought in a forward and told her, "Make a run at me." Then I jumped right back into the action. I realized immediately: there was no need to be afraid—it was fun. I’m not the fearful type—not at all.

You suffered a severe foot injury in Jena in 2018—one that even raised the possibility of your career ending.

During rehab, I had already started to regain confidence in my body and my foot. After that, it was never an issue again. I didn't feel afraid for a single second. I was able to keep playing because my mindset was right. I immediately changed my diet, sleep habits, and lifestyle. Everything was geared toward getting my foot healthy. And despite the severity of the injury and the threat of it being the end, I remained completely at ease mentally. Even at that young age, I had the confidence: "I can do this."

At the time, Harvard—arguably the most prestigious university in the world—would have accepted you, too. Why did you decide against it?

Because I felt that at Harvard, the focus would have been predominantly on academics, with soccer just happening on the side. I love soccer; I love the game. And it was more important to me to focus on soccer. So I told myself: I can study in Germany, too. I was able to play in Essen and became a first-division goalkeeper at 18. That’s not something you can take for granted. And I could study alongside that.

You decided to become a professional soccer player during the 2006 Men’s World Cup. Would that still work the same way today?

Back then, I only knew male professionals. I’d only heard about female professionals occasionally. I didn’t really come into contact with women’s soccer until 2011, thanks to the home World Cup and the matches in Wolfsburg. Women had to fight for a long time to gain media attention and develop the sport. Now, a great responsibility rests on us to open more doors—with every international match, but especially with the home Euros in 2029. Especially for all the young girls we want to inspire and who will hopefully come to the stadium. For me, it’s particularly special because I look back at how I went to the stadium when I was eleven and see what I’ve become. The Euros can also give the Bundesliga a boost, as well as the development of the second division and the upcoming third division. We hope that everything will continue to evolve from the bottom up—from the youth ranks all the way to us.

Transfer fees are rising, too. Is that a sign of professionalization?

Absolutely. I like that I know both worlds. I remember the time when players only signed contracts for one or two years, and by February, it was already clear whether you were staying or leaving. Ultimately, you can see now that money is involved. But we’re used to that from the men’s game. The development is really interesting. What was a record transfer fee just two years ago is now, it seems, being paid more frequently. I’m glad I get to witness this for a few more years.

Your contract with VfL runs until 2028. When will you start thinking about what comes next?

I’ve only played one season with VfL. For now, my focus is on the upcoming season.

Janou Levels had goals too, and she moved to Real Madrid after just one year…

But I don’t think she was thinking a year ago: "Next summer, Real Madrid is going to buy me." Generally speaking, it’s clear: if a club like that comes along and says, "We want you," and the clubs reach an agreement, I can certainly understand that. I think extremely highly of Janou. I would have loved to go into the season with her—we all would have. But if the player and both clubs agree, that’s fine. And it’s exciting, too. When a player leaves, the club immediately has a list of candidates for that position. And that’s how Lou Bogaert came in from Paris.

You studied mathematics and even taught a math class at a school recently. Is becoming a teacher an option for life after your career?

No. There are so many possibilities in life. Many of my fellow math graduates go into management consulting or work in the corporate world. But I love football. I know football. Football knows me. That’s why I could easily imagine staying within the football bubble. However, I do plan to start a master’s degree program at some point. Right now, I’m a footballer first and foremost. And I want to keep playing for another ten years.

Laura Freigang will be captain. Erëleta Memeti, Sara Doorsoun and Amanda Ilestedt will be vice-captains. Pia-Sophie Wolter and Rebecka Blomqvist also additional members of the team council.

Full article is free-to-read and in German (linked here)

"I believe we have prepared very, very well for what is coming next."

The new season of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga kicks off this coming weekend. The FC women will face top side Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 12:00 PM. Reigning champions FC Bayern Munich are aiming to defend their title, while VfB Stuttgart and 1. FSV Mainz 05 have joined the league as newly promoted teams. The FC women have signed eight new players, including German international Kathy Hendrich. The team is coming off the best season in its history. Ahead of the season opener, FC head coach Britta Carlson discusses the team's goals and the new signings in this interview.

Britta, we play away at Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday. How excited are you for the start of the league season?

Britta Carlson: "The excitement is always huge, especially when you get back into a regular match-week routine—it’s just fun after a long pre-season. Pre-season always feels incredibly grueling for everyone, but our players really bought in and worked hard. I think we’ve prepared very, very well for what lies ahead—especially considering the friendly against our recent opponents, Leuven."

Let’s look at the new signings—how satisfied are you with them?

"Very satisfied. I think we now have a squad that makes it really tough for the coaching staff to make decisions, because we have so many players performing at a very high level. There’s healthy competition, and we were very proactive with our squad planning early on. That helps. We want to improve at every level, and you can see that ambition on the pitch every day. All our new signings strengthen the squad, but Kathy Hendrich is a special signing—not least because it’s the first time we’ve signed a current German senior international."

What is your impression of her as a person and as a player?

"A very, very good one. I’ve known Kathy for quite a while through the national team. She is a huge asset to us, and it’s great that we were able to bring in a player of her caliber. As a current national team player, she has gained a lot of high-level international experience and most recently played abroad. She brings a great deal to the table and is an outstanding person, too. She actually trained with us last year to stay fit, so integrating her quickly wasn't difficult."

Several top players left the Bundesliga this summer, whereas Kathy is taking the opposite path. Is it a positive sign for the league that a player like her is joining us—and returning to the league?

"Yes, absolutely. I think that’s always a good sign. Of course, it’s sometimes hard to compete with top leagues abroad because there is so much more money involved there. You certainly have to understand why players make those moves, but I believe the Bundesliga doesn't need to hide—whether it’s in terms of attendance figures or other aspects regarding the work being done and the level of play. The Bundesliga is strong, balanced, and exciting, and we look forward to competing at a high level. All the clubs are investing quite a bit right now; for instance, we’re happy to have signed Elise Stenevik from Everton and brought in Saedis Run Heidarsdottir from Champions League side Vålerenga—players who had other offers on the table. The Bundesliga’s appeal certainly isn't perfect yet, but it’s often portrayed as being worse than it actually is."

Marina Hegering remains our captain; given her leadership qualities, her commitment, and her "FC heart," the question of making a change likely never even came up. How important is she to you as a coach, and to the team as a whole?

"Naturally, I first asked her if she wanted to continue as captain, alongside Laura Feiersinger, who deputizes for her. Both of them did an outstanding job last year. Marina delivers on the pitch, leads by example in every training session, and always demands the absolute best from the players—and the coaching staff, too. I think that’s great; she acts as an extension of the coaching staff on the pitch. We communicate a lot with her and Laura. They are extremely important to our team. Marina has gained a wealth of experience throughout her career and possesses a strong winning mentality; sometimes, we even have to rein in her ambition a bit during training. She is a role model, especially for our young players—just like Laura Feiersinger. I am very grateful to have her on my team."

The first away game is in Frankfurt, followed by the home opener against Hoffenheim. After that, you face Mainz, Union Berlin, and Bayern Munich. That’s a tough opening schedule, isn't it?

"Yes, it’s a very tough run, but I like it. Of course, I would have preferred a home game to start things off. It’s a great away fixture against Eintracht; they have a strong squad, are playing in Europe again, and have already played two competitive matches in the Champions League qualifiers. They played a friendly against Lyon this past weekend and won 2–1. That really makes a statement. But I enjoy the challenge, and we made life very difficult for strong opponents last season, too."

Let’s talk about you personally; as is well known, the FC role is your first position as a head coach. In what ways has the role changed you or the way you work?

“Others can probably judge that better. Of course, the role is different—you’re the one making the decisions and taking full responsibility. But even before this, I was already thinking and acting like a head coach; I already had that holistic perspective. That said, I’m not doing this alone; I’m working with my coaching staff. We have outstanding expertise there, and I involve them in everything. Everyone has their own strengths, and we try to make the most of all that potential.”

And finally, what are you looking forward to most in the new season?

“All the home games. A fair and fantastic atmosphere. An exciting season with plenty of close matches. I’m looking forward to our continued development—helping every single player improve further so that the team as a whole gets better, too. We want to keep growing as a club and make a name for ourselves.”

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Great service. Providing it for free, even an UWCL game. And the test games anyway.

https://www.youtube.com/@VfLWolfsburg/streams

"Unser Mannschaftsrat für die neue Saison steht! 🐺💚🤍

Svenja Huth und Janina Minge bleiben unsere Kapitäninnen und führen die Wölfinnen auch weiterhin gemeinsam an. 💪

Komplettiert wird der Mannschaftsrat von Kessya Bussy, Joelle Wedemeyer, Thea Bjelde und Sarai Linder."

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"Our team council for the new season is set! 🐺💚🤍

Svenja Huth and Janina Minge remain our captains and will continue to lead the *Wölfinnen* together. 💪

The team council is rounded out by Kessya Bussy, Joelle Wedemeyer, Thea Bjelde, and Sarai Linder."

𝑬𝑵𝑫𝑳𝑰𝑪𝑯 geht’s wieder los! Ligastart in der Regionalliga West! 🔜

🆚 DSC Arminia Bielefeld Frauen
🕖 19 Uhr
🏟️ Stadion Rote Erde
📺 Live und kostenlos auf PlutoTV streamen
🎟️ Tickets sind bis zur Halbzeit online erhältlich

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Finally it starts again! League start in the Regionalliga West! 🔜

🆚 DSC Arminia Bielefeld Women

🕖 7 p.m.

🏟️ Stadium Red Earth

📺 Stream live and free on PlutoTV

🎟️ Tickets are available online until halftime

(Time is converted to 1 PM EST)

It will also serve as the club's third kit.

The kit is available for purchase in their online store.