SSVg Velbert was thrashed at home by Sportfreunde Lotte on Friday evening. Staying in the Regionalliga West now seems a distant prospect.

A week ahead of the rest of the Regionalliga West, SSVg Velbert and Sportfreunde Lotte kicked off the 2026 season on Friday evening. The rescheduled match from Matchday 18 was on the docket. For SSVg Velbert, this was one of their last chances to avoid relegation. They failed to capitalize on it: Bogdan Komorowski’s team had a player sent off and lost 0–3 (0–1).

In the first half-hour, the game was still evenly matched and played mainly between the penalty areas—though the level of play was modest. One exception: a great attack by the hosts led by Machtemes. But Golubytskij’s attempt was saved, and Hilger’s follow-up shot from close range hit Riemer in the face (25th minute).

After half an hour, Lotte began to dominate. Following a combination play down the left, Ritter only had to stick out his foot, but the ball went wide (40th minute). Then things went from bad to worse for the home team: Remmo received a yellow-red card for repeated foul play and was sent off (40′). The Sportfreunde capitalized on their numerical advantage to take the lead before halftime: A cross slipped through to Stublla, who scored to make it 1–0 (45′).

Shortly after the restart, the game was effectively decided: Following a corner kick, things got dangerous in the penalty area, and Klefisch finally put the ball in the net to make it 2–0 (49′).

Velbert couldn’t come up with much in response, while Lotte switched to a defensive mode but remained dangerous. The 3–0 came as a result: Addai tapped in after a cross from Stublla (68′). Chants of “relegation” rang out from the visitors’ section, which was attended by at least 20 fans.

Velbert tried to rally one last time at the end, but stood no chance while down a man. The score remained 0–3, a result that gave Lotte some breathing room in the lower ranks, while SSVg Velbert is gradually running out of it.