TSG Sprockhövel were guests of VfB Homberg on Sunday afternoon. The table situation of the two teams promised a duel at eye level – and so it was.

Actually, TSG Sprockhövel should be the host in the test match against VfB Homberg, but the wintry weather has put a spoke in the wheel of this planning and so it was played on Sunday afternoon in the Duisburg district of Homberg. The two teams drew 1-1. Homberg manager Stefan Janßen was satisfied with his team’s performance: “I noticed that all the boys were able to offer themselves, which is good. Today, everyone who was in the squad played. I’m always grateful to have test opponents like Sprockhövel. They’re a good and fair team with a good manager.” The first 45 minutes were scoreless and without any big chances on either side. Five minutes after the break, Sakaki Ota scored the 1-0 for VfB. 20 minutes later, Denizhan Yazici scored the 1-1. That was the final score after 90 minutes. For Janßen, it is always important in such games that no one gets injured. But that was not the case in this friendly, explains the VFB coach: “Pierre Nowitzki got injured right when warming up. This is very annoying, because he has now been out for half a year due to his arm injury, but he should be back on the pitch for the first time against TSG. This is very annoying and a shame for him.” For the team ranked 11th in the Oberliga Niederrhein, it was the first test match of the year. TSG Sprockhövel has already played two matches during the winter break. Last Sunday, they won the friendly match against Mülheimer FC 4-0, after losing 1-2 to the regional league team Wuppertaler SV. The two teams already met last summer during the preparation phase. The Blue and Whites managed to win that game 3:1. For both teams, the season in the league has been mixed so far. With 15 points on the account, TSG is in 14th place in the Oberliga Westfalen, six points above the relegation zone. The relegation battle is also an issue for VfB Homberg. After 18 games, the team of coach Stefan Janßen is in 11th place in the table, just three points above the first relegation place. For VfB, the league season starts on February 18 with an important away game against SC St. Tönis, who are in the first relegation place. Before that, three more friendly matches are scheduled. Yakup Gösku’s team has further test matches lined up for the coming week: against ETB SW Essen (27/01) and against Landesliga team SF Niederwenigern (28/01). In the Oberliga Westfalen, TSG Sprockhövel will continue against Eintracht Rheine on February 4.