Football | Verena Volkmer: "The Bundesliga is losing touch"

Verena Volkmer, you played in the Bundesliga for Werder Bremen and Carl Zeiss Jena and then in Austria for Austria Vienna. What are your expectations for the new season ?

I'm hoping for an exciting season and that the gap between the teams at the top of the table and those battling relegation won't be quite as wide as it has been recently. This kind of two-tier system isn't good for anyone. Leverkusen has made good strides up front recently, and I could imagine RB Leipzig, Union Berlin , and Werder Bremen catching up soon.

Many hope that the European Championship euphoria will also spread to the Bundesliga. What do you think about this?

In the end, the audience numbers will tell. After the 2021 European Championship, there was also a lot of euphoria , but the desired effect wasn't achieved. But: I have the feeling that there's a lot more media attention now. It's easier to attract new fans to women's football when they know it's even happening.

How do you perceive the development in women's football in general?

Overall, a lot has happened in the last ten to twelve years: In the past, no woman could make a living from it, and many didn't even know we existed – last season, Werder Bremen's cup match against HSV at the 57,000-seat Volksparkstadion was sold out. Nevertheless, there's still a lot of catching up to do when it comes to equality at clubs, especially when men also play in the Bundesliga.

In what way?

There are often differences in equipment, training times, or pitches. However, there are also clubs that strive to create equal conditions for men and women – simply because there's nothing wrong with it. Union Berlin is currently enjoying great success with this concept.

What else can clubs do?

I think it would make sense to play in large stadiums as often as possible. That clubs don't wait until a certain number of spectators is reached, but rather say directly: "We'll play there and then see how many come."

Why would that work ?

A stadium offers a completely different feeling, not only for the players, but also for the spectators. I think many people come to a game precisely because it's being played in a stadium. That's why we have to create this opportunity. It's happening more and more often, and it's having an impact. It also creates visibility.

At games in stadiums in front of large crowds, the atmosphere is often different than at women's games – what do you think about that?

Unfortunately, you can't just pick out the positives. Of course, the ideal situation would be a good, friendly atmosphere, free of hatred, racism, or discrimination—for both men and women. But as soon as there are more spectators, the mood automatically changes. This family-friendly match-day outing might be lost. As long as the overall atmosphere remains good, it's still important to expand the stage.

With Jule Brand and Sidney Lohmann, two German internationals have moved abroad – why are the best players leaving the league?

The Bundesliga is losing ground a bit, especially to England and the USA. Of course, everyone wants the national team players to play in their own league, because the Bundesliga was one of the best for a long time. But other leagues have overtaken the Bundesliga.

Conversely, the best players from Austria regularly come to Germany. HSV has brought eight players and the coach from St. Pölten – what do you think about that?

I'm very excited about it because I think the league in Austria is a bit underrated. The conditions there are very good, and the level is high. Many players who made the move to Germany have also made it here. I'm sure that the players who have now joined HSV will show their qualities.

You were top scorer and named Player of the Year last season—yet you ended your career rather early this summer at the age of 29. Why?

Well, I started very early: I left home at 15 and went to boarding school, and I've been playing ever since. That's a long time, and I've missed out on a lot. I accepted that for a long time and achieved almost everything I dreamed of as a child. Now I've reached the point where it's no longer worth it.

You now work as a lawyer in Bremen. Do you enjoy your new life?

I didn't make the decision overnight; I thought about it for a long time and had a good idea of ​​what it would be like. Everything's different, of course, but so far, it's been confirmed that it was the right choice: the job, everyday life with my girlfriend, and time with my family.

How did you manage to manage your studies alongside your career ?

Both were only possible because I absolutely wanted it. It takes a lot of ambition, discipline, and time management when you have training at 8 a.m., then university, and then training again in the evening. But others also worked on the side; things weren't as professional back then. We earned little and couldn't build up any savings. So it was clear that you needed a Plan B. But for me, it also had positive aspects.

What?

Both balanced each other out. Football helped me switch off from exam stress, and university distracted me when things weren't going well athletically.

What would have been possible for you in terms of football without the double burden?

I don't know. But in the three years I spent at Austria Wien after graduating, things went pretty well from a sporting perspective. Still, it's complex, because other factors also play a role: I had more experience and was playing in a different league.