28,200 fans were on hand for the third division derby between MSV Duisburg and Rot-Weiss Essen (2:2). For RWE, it partly “felt like a home game.”

Spectators had to wait over 15 years for a league derby between MSV Duisburg and Rot-Weiss Essen. On Friday evening, the time had finally come. In the Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena, which was sold out with 28,200 fans – 3,300 seats had to remain empty for security reasons – the two rivals dueled each other on the second third league matchday. And the fans did not regret coming. MSV and RWE drew 2:2 in an entertaining and varied derby.

The clash between the two traditional clubs electrified the fan camps long before the first touch of the ball. The 5,000 guest tickets were sold out within just 19 minutes and MSV also managed to sell around 23,000 tickets to their own supporters. It has been over six years since so many spectators made the pilgrimage to the Duisburg Arena. On 24 May 2016, 30,000 fans were on hand for the relegation second leg (2. Liga) against Würzburger Kickers.

Both active fan scenes had launched an appeal in advance. Under the motto “120 years of Meidericher Spielverein”, the Duisburg fans were supposed to come to the stadium in blue and white jerseys, while the Rot-Weiss Essen groups called on them to come in red outfits. No sooner said than done – both sides were able to present a united front in Duisburg. There was also a huge choreography by the MSV supporters before kick-off. The atmosphere was excellent on both sides and in keeping with the general conditions. RWE striker Lawrence Ennali was impressed afterwards – by the 5,000 visiting fans: “I partly thought it was a home game for us with the crowd. It was incredible. “

This was a football festival. Both fan camps made sure of that, it was just fantastic. That’s what football lives on. You can see how attractive the 3rd Division is. I was very impressed by our fans, who almost made it a home game.

Christoph Dabrowski.

Essen coach Christoph Dabrowski also spoke of a successful derby evening: “That was a football festival. Both fan camps made sure of that, it was simply fantastic. That’s what football lives on. You can see how attractive the 3rd Division is. I was very impressed by our fans, who made it almost a home game. We want to take that with us for Tuesday’s game against Viktoria Köln. “