Soccer players from Neubrandenburg women's team are determinedly moving towards the onset of their preseason
The women's football team of 1. FC Neubrandenburg 04 is gearing up for the 25/26 season in the Verbandsliga, but they are facing a series of challenges that could make their journey more difficult.
With two regular players, Charlotte Constien and Lea Hein, choosing to retire and focus on their studies and training, the team is experiencing a significant change in its roster. However, youth player Jessica Wiese has joined the team to fill the gap, and Leonie Schmidt and Nele Putz have also been drafted in from the second team.
The team is also dealing with the loss of many young talents, as reported on the club's website. Despite these departures, FCN coach Tilo Berner remains combative, aiming to compete for one of the top three places in the Verbandsliga this season.
One of the most pressing issues facing the team is the early DFB-Pokal game. The first round is scheduled for August 17, more than four weeks before the regular Verbandsliga start on September 14. This early start could compress their preseason or early league preparation, leading to scheduling challenges.
The cup game against an as-yet-unknown opponent is causing concern for the coaching staff due to the irregular preparation. The planned test games have also been a source of worry, with opponents canceling at short notice and the team's inconsistent fitness levels. A test game against FSV Babelsberg 74 (Brandenburg Liga) had to be canceled due to the opponent choosing another opponent at the last minute.
The long gap and late summer holidays make a structured build-up difficult for the team. FCN coach Tilo Berner finds the early cup game a unique challenge, and he will be absent for the game due to a long-planned family vacation. Goalkeeper Tina Ziebarth, a former FCN player, has returned to the squad to help fill the void.
Despite the challenges, the team has a highlight upcoming: the first round of the DFB-Pokal on August 17. The home game will be against VfR Warbeyen at the athletics stadium, as the neu.sw-Stadion is still closed. The women's team is entering the new season under challenging conditions, but with the right approach, they could pull off a cup surprise in the upcoming season.
The retirements of Charlotte Constien and Lea Hein have resulted in a shift in the 1. FC Neubrandenburg 04 women's football team's roster, while youth player Jessica Wiese, along with Leonie Schmidt and Nele Putz, have joined the squad to mitigate the gap.Despite the early DFB-Pokal game scheduled for August 17 and the subsequent scheduling challenges, FCN coach Tilo Berner aims to compete for one of the top three places in the Verbandsliga this season.
