Arminia Lirich is second from bottom in the Lower Rhine District League Group 6 after 17 match days with just nine points.
Arminia Lirich is five points behind the safety zone. Coach Jens Szopinski is asking his team to get back on track on January 5, 2026. The Oberhausen-based club will play six test matches (see info box) in order to be in top form for the second half of the season and work their way out of the basement. Forecasting spoke with Jens Szopinski.
How would you assess your team’s first half of the season?
Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to get more than one point against the top seven teams in the table in the first eight matchdays of the first half of the season. We often played with great commitment, courage, and audacity—but without the necessary points. On match days 9 and 10 against SF Niederwenigern II and Dostlukspor Bottrop, we deservedly picked up four important points. But then, inexplicably, we hit a slump and suffered six defeats in a row. Yes, it’s also true that we were plagued by injuries in the final stages and had personnel problems, but that can never be used as an excuse, and it won’t be. In the last game at Heisinger SV, my boys gave it their all again, even though we were running on empty in terms of personnel, but the team once again showed and proved what is possible for us as the youngest team in the league with passion and determination. The bottom line is that we had hoped for at least seven to eight more points.
What has been the highlight for you so far?
Perhaps reaching the quarterfinals in the district cup. I’m now in my seventh year as coach in Lirich and every year I’ve been knocked out in the second round of the district cup at the latest. Now we were up against Sterkrade-Nord in the quarterfinals and unfortunately had to accept defeat in the second minute of extra time due to a bitter penalty (final score 2:3, editor’s note).
And what was the most negative experience?
To be honest, I don’t like to dwell on negative things, they rob me of strength and energy unnecessarily. But that’s exactly what I need to take my boys with me on the journey at the start of winter preparation for the second half of the season.
Will there be any changes to the squad during the winter break?
We’ve signed a third goalkeeper, Arndt Binder (Rumelner TV), and a versatile attacking player, Nabil Hamkar (SC 20 Oberhausen), and we’re still working on a few more signings.
What is your goal for the rest of the season?
To throw everything into the mix and invest everything we have in staying in the league.
