TuS Haltern is facing the second relegation in a short time. In the Westfalenliga 1, the club is ranked in 15th place, the relegation spot. The gap to the teams above is getting bigger and bigger.

TuS Haltern really is in deep water. The club from Haltern am See is facing its second relegation within the last three years. The traditional club was only relegated from the Westphalia Oberliga in the 2020/21 season. The following year, it only just avoided relegation to the Landesliga.

This season could see Haltern facing relegation again. The seaside club is currently in 15th place in the table – a direct relegation spot. The safety line is already seven points away.

Haltern are following in the footsteps of Athletic Bilbao, as they have committed themselves to playing more players from their own region. This could now be punished again. Possibly also a reason for the renewed misery?

Alexander Zerche, head coach at TuS Haltern, refutes the assumption a little: “Basically, I have to say that I am a fan of the approach of offering players from their own ranks a perspective in senior football. It should also be noted that not all the boys come from Haltern. The Bilbao approach was briefly mentioned, but it is not explicitly and stubbornly pursued.”

Incidentally, the Seestadtclub also messed up the kick-off after the winter break. Haltern lost 2-1 to the league leaders, SC Verl II, albeit not without a fight. The next game is an absolute basement battle. The Hammer SpVg currently holds the red lantern in its hands and is inviting the Zerche team to a little relegation dance.

A clear case of a “do-or-die” game. A lot is at stake there. Accordingly, the tension before Sunday (3 p.m.) is also huge: “This is a six-point game. I can’t express it any other way. We have to turn the tide and show up with the right mindset at the weekend. A win like that could give us a boost for the future.”

It will definitely be a close call with the mission to stay in the class. Zerche, who has been coaching TuS Haltern since the new year, is, however, positive: “You can feel the team’s will. Besides, the quality is good enough not to have to be relegated.”

Zerche continues: “In the preparation, we have also gained the necessary self-confidence. The necessary adjustments still have to be made and then I am optimistic that we will stay in the league in the end.”