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

TSG Sprockhövel were supposed to host VfB Homberg in a test match, but the wintry weather put a spanner in the works and the game was played in the Duisburg district of Homberg on Sunday afternoon. The two teams drew 1:1 and Homberg coach Stefan Janßen was pleased with his team’s performance: “I noticed that the boys can all offer themselves, which is good. Everyone who was in the squad played today. I’m always grateful to have test opponents like Sprockhövel. They’re a good and fair team with a good coach.” The first 45 minutes were goalless and without any major chances for either side. Five minutes after the changeover, Sakaki Ota made it 1:0 for VfB. 20 minutes later, Denizhan Yazici made it 1:1. That was the score after 90 minutes. For Janßen, it is always important in such games that nobody gets injured. But that was not the case in this test match, explained the VFB coach: “Pierre Nowitzki got injured straight away during the warm-up. That’s very annoying, because he’s now been out for six months due to his arm injury and he was supposed to be back on the pitch for the first time against TSG. That’s very annoying and a shame for him.” It was the first test match of the year for the team in eleventh place in the Oberliga Niederrhein. TSG Sprockhövel have already played two games this winter break. Last Sunday they won the friendly against Mülheimer FC 4:0, before that they were beaten 2:1 by regional league side Wuppertaler SV. The two teams already met last summer in preparation. The Blue & Whites won the match 3:1 on that occasion. Both teams have had a mixed season in the league so far. With 15 points to its name, TSG spent the winter in 14th place in the Oberliga Westfalen, six points ahead of a relegation place. The relegation battle is also an issue for VfB Homberg. After 18 games, coach Stefan Janßen’s team are eleventh in the table, just three points ahead of the first relegation place. VfB’s league campaign kicks off on February 18 with an important away game against SC St. Tönis, who are in first place in the relegation zone. Three more friendlies are scheduled beforehand. Yakup Gösku’s team have more test matches coming up next week: against ETB SW Essen (27.01.) and against the regional league team, SF Niederwenigern (28.01.). TSG Sprockhövel will continue their campaign in the Oberliga Westfalen on February 4 against Eintracht Rheine