After 17 matchdays, Arminia Lirich sits in second-to-last place in the Lower Rhine District League Group 6 with just nine points.
Arminia Lirich trails the safety zone by five points. Coach Jens Szopinski is calling his team back to training on January 5, 2026.
The Oberhausen-based team will play six friendly matches—see info box—to be in top form for the second half of the season and climb out of the basement of the table.
Forecasting spoke with Jens Szopinski.
How would you assess your team’s first half of the season?
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to secure more than a single point against the top seven teams in the standings during the first eight matchdays of the first half of the season. Those were often very committed, courageous, and spirited performances—but without the necessary points. On matchdays 9 and 10 against SF Niederwenigern II and Dostlukspor Bottrop, we then deservedly picked up four important points. But then, inexplicably, we hit a rough patch and suffered six consecutive losses. Yes, it’s also true that we were plagued by injuries and had personnel issues in the final stretch, but that can never be used as an excuse—and it won’t be. In the last game at Heisinger SV, my guys gave it their all once again, even though we were down to the wire in terms of personnel there as well, but the team showed and proved once more what is possible for us—as the youngest team in the league—with passion and determination. All in all, we had hoped for at least seven to eight more points.
What has been the highlight for you so far?
Perhaps reaching the quarterfinals of the district cup. I’m now in my seventh year as coach in Lirich, and year after year we’ve been knocked out by the second round of the district cup at the latest. This time we faced Sterkrade-Nord in the quarterfinals and, unfortunately, suffered a knockout in the second minute of extra time due to a bitter penalty kick (final score 2-3, ed.).
And what was the biggest negative experience?
To be completely honest: I don’t like to dwell on negative things; they drain my strength and energy unnecessarily. But that’s exactly what I need to take my boys on this journey as we kick off winter training for the second half of the season.
Will there be changes to the squad during the winter break?
We’ve added a third goalkeeper in Arndt Binder (Rumelner TV), brought a versatile offensive player to Lirich in Nabil Hamkar (SC 20 Oberhausen), and are still working on a few more signings.
What is your goal for the rest of the season?
To throw everything into the mix—to truly give it our all to avoid relegation.
