The 2024/2025 Regionalliga West season kicks off with FC Gütersloh’s match against MSV Duisburg. The FCG should then report “sold out”
“We are very happy about this opening match and would like to thank the West German Football Association. This is an honor for the team, fans and the entire club and a reward for the work of the last few years,” said FC Gütersloh board members Hans-Hermann Kirschner, Heiner Kollmeyer and Helmut Delker at the kick-off on 26 July (7.30 pm) against MSV Duisburg.
The MSV fans are also eager for the game in the time-honored Heidewaldstadion. Within a very short time, around 2,500 tickets for the guest blocks went over the counter. The Heidewaldstadion offers 8400 seats. The game is likely to be sold out in the end.
“Everyone will have the opportunity to be there live. You can help us better estimate demand by using the online pre-sale. The sooner the guest areas are full, the sooner we can take care of the opening and admission to other blocks,” Gütersloh announced on their homepage.
In sporting terms, a real challenge awaits Gütersloh. Of course, the FCG knows that too. “With MSV Duisburg, the top favorite for promotion to the 3rd division is coming straight away. It will also be interesting for us to see to what extent we can stand up to this top regional league club. We will face Duisburg with a lot of respect, but without fear and will do everything we can to get the first three points,” said FCG sporting director Rob Reekers, who is expecting an exciting clash at the start of the regional league.
Reekers and MSV managing director Michael Preetz know each other from Hertha BSC, where the FCG sporting director worked as assistant coach under coach Jos Luhukay from 2012 to 2015.
FC Gütersloh and MSV Duisburg are playing for championship points for the first time. In the 2008/2009 season, there were only two duels against MSV’s second team in the NRW League. When DJK Gütersloh (1974 to 1976) as the predecessor club and FCG (1996 to 1999) belonged to the second Bundesliga, Duisburg played in the Bundesliga.