MSV Duisburg took an important step in the fight to stay in the league with a 3:1 win against SC Verl. Striker Daniel Ginczek was finally able to score twice again.

MSV Duisburg’s 3:1 win at SC Verl was not just an absolute relief. Daniel Ginczek also finally arrived at the Wedau with his brace (32nd, 63rd). A feeling that the 32-year-old had to wait a long time for.

Because when the brawny center forward last scored a brace in the league, the world was a different place. The new decade had just begun and the coronavirus pandemic was just around the corner. It was Sunday, February 2, 2020.

Back then, Ginczek was still playing in the Bundesliga – for VfL Wolfsburg. The Wolves traveled to last-placed SC Paderborn – and won confidently 4:2. The goalscorers: Robin Knoche, Maximilian Arnold and Daniel Ginczek twice.

Now, 1469 days later, the Arnsberg native was joined on the scoresheet by Robin Müller. This year, MSV Duisburg are fighting to stay in the third division.

Daniel Ginczek: With Duisburg it’s about staying in the league, with Wolfsburg it was about Europe

Five points currently separate MSV from the safety zone. But the truth is that sixteenth-placed Hallescher FC still have a catch-up game up their sleeve.

Around four years ago, Ginczek played for European football with the Wolves. The victory in Paderborn saw VfL move up to ninth place on matchday 20.

In the end, it was even enough to finish seventh and thus qualify for the Europa League. Wolfsburg later defeated KS Kukesi (4:1) and Desna Chernigov (2:0) before losing 2:1 at AEK Athens. As a result, VfL missed out on the Europa League

Ginczek turned his back on the Autostadt in the winter of 2022 and joined Fortuna Düsseldorf. In the first cup round of the 2022/23 season, he scored another brace against fourth-division side Kickers Offenbach.

However, he still had to be patient before he made it that far in the league. Until the 3:1 victory at SC Verl, in which he not only redeemed himself, but also MSV Duisburg and its fans