The appointment of Marie-Louise Eta as interim head coach of Union Berlin's men's Bundesliga side may have captured global headlines, but few inside the ambitious club were surprised.

The rapid rise of Union's women's side, which Eta will coach from the summer, is a direct result of the club prioritizing the team.

While still in the amateur regional leagues, Union took the unusual step of paying players and coaching staff professionally.

Union is putting the finishing touches on a shiny new complex that will become the first training center in European soccer that provides identical facilities for both the club's men's and women's teams.

Despite playing in the second division last season, Union's women's average 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 its top-flight status for next year.

Union hosts powerhouse Bayern Munich on Wednesday and the club expects over 10,000 spectators, having opened up additional stands at its 22,000-capacity Stadion An der Alten Forsterei.

'It's about soccer'

A major reason for the support is the club's integration into the community in the eastern Berlin suburb of Kopenick.

The club is a core part of Kopenick's identity, giving rise to the saying: 'We don't go to the soccer, 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 attend both the men's and the women's games "because, ultimately, it's about soccer".

"I hope it gets established at many clubs, that it's their favorite club and there might be a home game every weekend, one week the women's and the next the men's," Poese told reporters.

"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 soccer was a key factor in her decision.

"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 — in financial terms and also in the facilities we get.

"I don't think you see that often in women's soccer, so I think that's a very big plus for me."

'Logical decision'

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 one bit of a surprise here in the club or in Kopenick... It doesn't matter what your gender is, do you know a lot about soccer? If you do, then 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 is heavy underdog on Wednesday, but even taking on the German giant is an achievement in itself.

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

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 soccer, you have 90 minutes, and if we have a good day, we want to be the party crashers."