Two third division teams were in action in test matches this Wednesday. Here’s how it went for the rivals from MSV Duisburg and Rot-Weiss Essen.

The 3rd division clubs are currently preparing for the second half of the season. This also applies to the Revier clubs MSV Duisburg and Rot-Weiss Essen. Both have been training again since last week. The first test matches are coming up soon. The Zebras will play Vitesse Arnhem on Friday, and the next day RWE will host SC Paderborn.

Some of the league rivals are already further along and have already gained match practice. This Wednesday, for example, Erzgebirge Aue and SV Elversberg were in action. And both should be satisfied with their performances – even though the SVE, unlike Aue, suffered a defeat.

The Elversberg side lost to TSG Hoffenheim. But the spectacular final result of 3:4 against the Bundesliga team is quite respectable. Especially since the third division leaders went into the break trailing 0:2 (Georginio Rutter, 23./41.).

After the break, the SVE fought their way back into the game several times. First, Valdrin Mustafa reduced the deficit (55th). Then it was Israel Suero Fernandez (61st) and Eros Dacaj (77th) who scored for the outsiders. But Hoffenheim kept pulling away (Tom Bischof, 57th; David Mokwa, 63rd).

Meanwhile, Aue celebrated the second win of their test match series. The last one was a 1:0 against league rivals Hallescher FC.

On Wednesday, new coach Pavel Dotchev took part for the first time. It was against the Oberliga team VFC Plauen. The FCE won 3:1.

Omar Sijaric put the relegation-threatened Auer in the lead (18th). After the equaliser (31st), Dotchev made a complete change at half-time. New players included Boris Tashchy and Elias Huth (55., 64.), who scored for the Saxons.

These third division teams will test on Thursday (15 December):

Werder Bremen – SV Meppen (2 p.m.)

FC Ingolstadt – Greuther Fürth (3 p.m.)

Dynamo Dresden – TS Galaxy Nelspruit (3pm)