ETB Schwarz-Weiß Essen started the 2024 competitive season with a 1-1 draw against TVD Velbert. ETB coach Damian Apfeld was extremely annoyed with the refereeing performance.
A week earlier than the league competition, the winter break in the Oberliga Niederrhein ended for ETB Schwarz-Weiß Essen. The Essen team hosted TVD Velbert in the catch-up game of the 16th match day. Both teams ended up drawing 1-1.
ETB coach Damian Apfeld was particularly satisfied with his team’s performance in the first half hour: “We were in the game in terms of intensity, sharp passing and zonal marking exactly as we had imagined”.
Consequently, the black and whites took the lead, but then missed the chance to build on it. “What I missed a bit was that we had to make it 2-0 in this phase. Just to get more security in the game. Then something happens that shouldn’t happen. TVD Velbert adapted to the circumstances, took the game better and we got the equalizer,” Apfeld was annoyed.
After the break, Apfeld saw a “balanced” and “competitive” game that ultimately did not find a winner. Nevertheless, he was satisfied – at least with his own team’s performance: “I have to praise the team for this first game in the new year against a good team. But there is one person I cannot praise, and that is the refereeing team.”
The 37-year-old A-license holder strongly disagreed with some of the referees’ decisions: “It was pretty awful. We weren’t given a penalty. Guiliano Zimmerling was tripped three times and sometimes nothing happened. Timo Brauer slid into Guiliano’s legs from behind, hit him in the calf and nothing happened.”
Newcomers fit in well
On the other hand, Apfeld was pleased with the first competitive appearance of the two newcomers David Leinweber and Nico Lucas: “Both did their job well. David played on the left back in an unfamiliar position for him. You have to give him a big compliment for that. Nico is the strategist who should set the rhythm. He was somewhat handicapped by an early yellow card. But both made a very good debut here at the Uhlenkrug.”
While TVD Velbert will next play against FC Büderich on Sunday, ETB will have to play again on Friday evening. Then the black and whites will face Union Nettetal. ”The performance against TVD was encouraging. It makes you want more. So we want to get the three points in the first away game of the year on Friday. We will have a great week of training and rock the game in Nettetal,” Apfeld announced, fighting spirit in his voice.