Three goals conceded in seven minutes

96-youth players had the chance to grace the pitch with Bundesliga players against SV Bavenstedt. Five U19 players were included in the Reds’ squad. Referee Stefan Brauer began the match amidst beaming sunshine. The first major chance of the game fell to the visitors: Striker Artjoms Rudnevs came unstuck against Bavenstedt keeper Roman Ziesing in the ninth minute though. But it was the Landesliga side that seized control of the game in the minutes that followed. SV Bavenstedt played attack-minded and were rewarded with an opening goal through Benjamin Holze in the 14th minute. They increased their lead just moments later when Hady El-Saleh made it 2-0 to the hosts. 96 were offering little going forward or in defence and they were punished again in the 20th minute: Benjamin Holze scored to make it 3-0 to the home side, securing his brace against the Bundesliga side at the same time. Captain Lars Stindl got on the scoresheet for the Reds shortly after though. The remaining minutes of the first half passed without notable highlights and the teams went into the dressing room with the score 3-1 to the hosts.


Around 2,000 specators came to watch 96's third post-season friendly in Bavenstedt

Two penalties in the second half

Tayfun Korkut made widespread changes in Bavenstedt at the beginning of the second half. Only two players from the first half (Fuhry and Felipe) remained on the pitch for the second 45. After around twenty minutes, the ball was in the net again after a lovely shot from 96-youth player Mike Bähre, but referee Brauer ruled the goal out for offside. There was more activity in the home side’s box a few moments later: Kevin Krottke was fouled and 96 were awarded a penalty. Leonardo Bittencourt converted it to make it 3-2, but it was a case of déjà-vu in Hannover’s penalty area shortly after: 96-keeper Fuhry felled SVB player Jonas Juergens and the hosts were deservedly awarded a penalty. Kevin Zellmer made no mistake from the spot and gave keeper Fuhry no chance, making it 4-2 to the hosts with eight minutes remaining. This scoreline didn’t change in the closing few minutes. 96 therefore suffered their first defeat in the friendly matches after the end of the season following wins against VfL Bückeburg and Grafschaft XI. 

Last match on Monday

There is still one friendly match remaining before the 96 players go on their well-deserved breaks on Tuesday, May 20th. Korkut’s men travel to Garbsen on Monday where they will play a local derby against Regionalliga outfit TSV Havelse.

Hannover 96 (first half): Fuhry - Avevor, Marcelo, Felipe, Wilton - Tuna, Schmiedebach - Sulejmani, Stindl, Prib - Rudnevs 

Hannover 96 (second half): Fuhry - Wolf, Felipe, Schulz, Pander - Dierßen, Hoffmann, Bähre, Bittencourt, Schlaudraff - Krottke

Goals: 1-0 Holze (14'), 2-0 El-Saleh (17'), 3-0 Holze (20'), 3-1 Stindl (26'), 3-2 Bittencourt (73' pen.), 4-2 Zellmer (82' pen.)
Referee: Stefan Brauer (Hildesheim)
Attendance: 2.000