After the late end of the vacations, the Berlin 2010 and 2011 age groups used the short time to take valuable steps in their personal development in a joint training course with Brandenburg and a training day with a test match, as well as to develop a common identity on and off the pitch as Team Berlin. The NOFV tournament was the first major comparison for the selection team last weekend. All state associations in the north-east are present at the regional tournament to compete with each other and give the players the opportunity to present themselves to the DFB inspectors.
Game 1: Berlin - Saxony 4:0
After some initial nervousness with scoring chances on both sides, Berlin took the initiative in the game after the first period. After winning the ball in midfield, center forward Hannah was played in deep, she left the last defender standing with a hook and then shot in from close range to make it 1:0. Berlin took advantage of the momentum and added to their lead twice in the next eight minutes: first it was central midfielder Viola, who curled a free-kick beautifully under the crossbar, then winger Milou, who scored at the second post to make it 3-0 after a pass from Michaela. The final goal was scored by Viktoria, who broke through down the left-hand side and finished the cross in front of goal.
Game 2: Berlin - Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 1:1
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern were full of energy despite a defeat the day before and made it difficult for Berlin from the start. Especially in the first period, they rarely managed to overpower the North Germans' pressing. The result was an early 0:1 and an opening phase that Berlin first had to bite into. The match was evenly poised for most of the game and it was a set-piece situation towards the middle of the match that gave Berlin the point: Therese rose perfectly to head in an attacking header from a corner, but it was blocked by the player at the first post. However, her colleague in central defense, Martha, was on hand to convert the rebound and ensure a fair draw.
Game 3: Berlin - Thuringia 3:1
Before the final game, the standings were exciting: Brandenburg had already played the last game of the tournament and were in first place with seven points, while Thuringia and Berlin had four points each. Based on the goal difference, it was clear that Thuringia needed a simple win to overtake Brandenburg, while Berlin had to win by two goals to take first place. The Berliners immediately took control of the game and were rewarded with an early lead through Michaela. She left two opponents standing on the left wing, moved inside and finished with her right foot from the edge of the six-yard box. Thuringia were hardly shocked. Just a few minutes later, the ball was won after a throw-in, the Thuringia striker went deep and lifted her shot over the Berlin goalkeeper. The Berliners then consistently created chances, but hardly took advantage of them - either the aluminum was in the way or the Thuringian goalkeeper prevented them from scoring again. In the 50th minute, however, Viola rewarded the Berliners for their efforts. Her corner was in the air for a long time, but then sank into the goal over the heads of several teammates at the first post. Euphoric from the 2:1, the team continued forward - shortly before the end, Milou was sent behind the chain in the right half lane. She curved around the goalkeeper and then shot into the net from an acute angle. The Berliners were not to be denied the lead, and with it the tournament victory.
Table
1st Berlin, 7 points, 8:2 goals
2nd Brandenburg, 7 points, 7:1 goals
3rd Thuringia, 4 points, 9:4 goals
4th Saxony, 3 points, 1:5 goals
5th Saxony-Anhalt, 3 points, 2:9 goals
6th Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, 1 point, 2:8 goals
Association sports coach Falko Grothe summarized: "Regardless of the final result, the players presented themselves and Berlin soccer excellently. After a strong start to the tournament, we overcame adversity as a team with passion, positivity and confidence in our own abilities. I think the tournament was a very valuable experience for everyone. We put in a real team performance, with every single player playing their part."
This year's title marks the third time in a row that the Berlin U16 juniors have won the NOFV regional tournament. The players were provided by 1. FC Union Berlin, FC Nordost, Hertha BSC and Nordberliner SC.
The U16 juniors will continue next weekend. A comparison tournament with the state associations from the Middle Rhine and Lower Saxony is scheduled at the Hennef Sports School. After that, there will be a longer break from training until the year ends with a joint training course at the Wannsee Sports School shortly before Christmas.
