On the first day of the Hallenstadtmeisterschaft in Mülheim, a finalist from the previous year had to throw in the towel.

The Hallenstadtmeisterschaft in Mülheim is on. In front of several hundred spectators in the Westenergie sports hall on Friday evening (December 29), Group A played the first three participants in the final round.

In addition to the favored Landesliga teams Blau-Weiß Mintard and VfB Speldorf, Croatia Mülheim (Kreisliga A) also made it to the final round. This will be held on January 6, 2024.

For A-league team Fatihspor Mülheim, however, the journey ended much earlier this year than in the last tournament. Back then, the club made it to the final and lost to 1. FC Styrum, but now, after day one of the tournament, TSV Heimaterde are also out of the running.

Mintard, in particular, had to work hard and had to worry until the last game, as a draw would not have been enough against Heimaterde. However, with a 4-1 win against the bottom-placed side, Mintard secured six points and a place in the final round in a close race with Fatihspor (5 points), despite two defeats. In the previous direct duel, Fatihspor had been sent off twice in a 3-1 defeat.

The last game of the day was a battle for first place in the group, with Croatia and VfB Speldorf already through. The Landesliga side were crowned group winners with a narrow 2-1 victory.

On Saturday (December 30, starting at 2:00 p.m.), the remaining places in the final round in January will be decided in groups B and C. Last year’s winners 1. FC Styrum will be joined by Oberliga team Mülheimer FC.

Groups B and C:

Group B: Mülheimer FC 97 (Oberliga Niederrhein), Mülheimer SV 07, SV Rot-Weiss Mülheim (both Bezirksliga), SV Raadt (Kreisliga A), TuS Union 09 Mülheim (Kreisliga B).

Group C: 1. FC Styrum (Bezirksliga), TuSpo Saarn, SV Heißen (both Kreisliga A), Dümptener TV (Kreisliga B).