Back to the roots – this time in green and white: Marie Gmeineder's special return

In early September, the Weserstadion had its very own soundtrack: the legendary foghorn, the cheers from the Ostkurve and, after the final whistle, the Bremen anthem “Lebenslang Grün-Weiß” (“Lifelong Green-White”). Right in the thick of it: Marie Gmeineder, currently on loan to Werder from FC Bayern Women. The 18-year-old played in midfield in a northern derby that Werder won – a match she is sure to remember for a long time to come. A highlight of her first few months up north, without a doubt. 

26,814 people were in attendance, including Gmeineder’s family. That’s another reason why it was more than just an exciting evening of football for her: it’s a long way from her home town of Landau in Lower Bavaria to Bremen, so visits aren’t something to be taken for granted. The next reunion will take place elsewhere: at the FC Bayern Campus, where Marie took her first steps in professional football. This time, she’ll be wearing green and white instead of red as Werder face the league leaders as the fourth-placed side on Friday (18:30 CET). It’s the top fixture of Matchday 9 in the Women’s Bundesliga – and for her, a home game with the roles reversed.

Settling into new surroundings

Gmeineder, who only signed a new contract with Bayern in June this year, which runs until 2028, feels at home in the far north. Bremen, she says, is a lovely city: not too big, with everything within easy reach – you can get anywhere quickly. She is particularly taken with the Überseestadt and the Schlachte, the historic riverside promenade along the River Weser in Bremen’s old town: small restaurants by the water, cafés where she likes to spend a few hours with her teammates after training. It’s a description that almost paints a stark contrast to everyday life in football: on the pitch, everything usually has to happen faster, whereas in the city, life is more relaxed. 

Gmeineder also attributes the fact that she settled in so quickly to the reception she received at Werder. The team and staff made her feel very welcome; she felt at home right from the start. The fact that she already knew Sarah Ernst, a former Munich player, and Maria Penner before her move was an added bonus. Ernst, in particular, showed her the ropes and explained the procedures – a personal guide to the city, complete with the not insignificant tip on where to be and when.

Loan move as next step

At Bayern, Gmeineder has mainly played for the reserve team in Bundesliga 2, featuring in 25 out of a possible 26 league matches last season as one of the team’s key players – and that at just 17 years of age. She also made her first appearances for the first team, in the DFB Cup and the Bundesliga. Her debut in the top flight came in April 2026 – against Werder Bremen, of all teams, on Pitch 11 at the Weserstadion. A few months later, she returned north as a Bremen player. You might call it a twist, were it not a rather good career plan.

The loan move to Bremen is intended to give Marie what young talents need most: playing time, responsibility and experience at the highest level. For one season, Werder is set to become the breeding ground for her next step in her development. The starting point is promising: in 2025 she was awarded the bronze Fritz Walter Medal, and she is also a German U19 international. Not a bad outlook for the coming years.

From Landau via Munich to Bremen

Gmeineder’s journey began in Landau an der Isar, took her via SpVgg Grün-Weiß Deggendorf to FC Bayern in 2024, and now continues to the Weser. She progressed through the German youth national teams from the U15s to the U19s. She also secured her vocational school leaving certificate while playing football. Her career path does not read like a straight sprint, but rather like a demanding multi-event competition: on the pitch, in the classroom – and, as far as possible, without falling behind.

Gmeineder finds the intensity at Bremen higher than in the second division – “both with and without the ball”. You don’t get away with mistakes as easily here: “They’re punished more quickly; decisions have to be made faster.” The regular training sessions and playing time are helping her get used to the faster pace. “I want to make the most of everything here, get better every day and get closer to my goals.”

There are plenty of opportunities to do so. Gmeineder has featured in all seven Bundesliga matches so far, starting three times. She made her first start against VfL Wolfsburg. Five days later, she started again at the Weserstadion against HSV. The northern derby was more than just another fixture on the calendar: Gmeineder experienced the green-and-white supporters and the special atmosphere of a home match at the Osterdeich at first hand.

Werder with momentum

Werder currently have every reason to head to Munich full of confidence. The Bremen side secured a thrilling 4–3 victory over Freiburg, beat Hoffenheim 3–0 in a rescheduled fixture, and came out on top 2–0 in extra time against Mainz in the DFB Cup round of 16 last weekend. Three wins in quick succession – including two league matches. On Friday, they face the league leaders. The roles are supposedly clear, not least because Werder have not scored a goal against Bayern in the league since 2018. But that is no reason to hide away.

A key figure in Gmeineder’s daily life in Bremen is her coach, Fritzy Kromp. She, too, comes from Bavaria and has worked for organisations including the Bavarian Football Association, the DFB and Eintracht Frankfurt. “She’s very experienced and dedicated. You can learn a lot from her,” says the 18-year-old. “She challenges us, but she also supports us and constantly provides fresh inspiration.” This helps her to work on her own strengths and develop further. A good coach doesn’t just hand out tasks; they also ask the right questions and don’t leave their players to figure out the answers on their own.

The fact that Gmeineder feels at home in Bremen isn’t just down to the short distances and the cafés by the water. “It’s incredibly fun to be part of this team and spend every day with them,” she adds. “We’ve grown closer together on the pitch, and off it too.” She doesn’t want to single out any one particular role model from the squad. “Everyone brings something to the table – a particular style of play, a decision, an attitude or experience in dealing with the team. I take on board whatever helps me and use it to forge my own path.” It sounds as though talent doesn’t necessarily need a single role model.

Return with roles reversed

Now the clash in Munich awaits on Friday. “We want to play bravely and not hide, demonstrate our qualities on the pitch and be nasty in the tackles,” said Gmeineder. “If possible, we shouldn’t allow Bayern to get into the game. The coaching team will come up with a game plan for that.”

For her, it will be an evening combining past and present. Much of the Campus feels familiar to Gmeineder – and yet this time, everything is different. It was here that she once took her first steps. Now she returns as a Bundesliga player who is still very much fledgling. The address is the same, but her role is different. She brings with her from Bremen match practice, newfound self-confidence and the experience of being able to hold her own on the big stage. Facing her former and future teammates, this return will therefore be a litmus test: for a player who no longer just wants to show what she’s made of, but also what the north has already made of her.

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