Osnabrück on top for the first half

After something of a subdued start, Lars Stindl finally created the Reds’ first chance of the game, but the VfL goalkeeper Riemann was able to save his shot from a tight angle. Osnabrück’s first opportunity came in the 23rd minute, but Daniel Nagy failed to force his effort beyond 96 keeper Markus Miller. Zieler’s replacement managed to make a good impression throughout the match, but just two minutes after his first save, he was left rooted to the spot when Hudec’s header from a Thomik corner whistled centimetres past the post. Another chance came just three minutes later for the second placed division three side, but Andreas Glockner fired his effort just wide.

96 get into the game following VfL’s spell of pressure

Manager Mirko Slomka’s team had two great chances to take the lead following Osnabrück’s spell of pressure but wasted them both; Manuel Schmiedebach was denied by Riemann’s quick reactions, before Szabolcs Huszti shot wide of the post. The action continued right up until the half time whistle: Firstly, Grimaldi skipped beyond the 96 defence following a good counterattack, but Eggimann and Miller were able to clear the danger at the last second. Then the Hannover fans were almost cheering a goal, after Stindl pulled the trigger following Cherundolo’s lay off. The ball seemed to be creeping over the line despite Riemann’s reflex save, but the VfL keeper somehow managed to stop it. Timo Staffeldt, a former teammate of Lars Stindl, Mario Eggimann and Markus Miller, was pleased with his side’s fist half performance: “It’s always a great opportunity when you’re given the chance to compete against a Bundesliga side. It’s even better to still be able to go toe to toe with them at this point in the match.”

Plenty of chances at the start of the second half

The beginning of the second period picked up seamlessly where the frantic first half left off.  Both sides worked chances during the opening stages, with a lot of action coming between the 58th and 66th minutes: Firstly, Aycicek just saw his effort slip past the post, before Adrian Nikci emerged alone in front of substitute VfL keeper Zumbeel, but pulled his effort just wide of the goal. Then Huszti’s shot from a corner was cleared at the last second, and although Aycicek was able to hit a rebound towards goal, his long range shot wasn’t precise enough and Hannover missed another chance. The goal that the 2,400 spectators inside the Wahre Dorff Arena had been waiting for finally came in the 66th minute. Substitute Henning Hauger didn’t need a second chance with his powerful shot from 18 yards, finally handing 96 a 1-0 lead. Aycicek had another chance to extend the advantage shortly before full time with a well-taken free kick, but the one goal was enough for a win in what turned out to be an interesting friendly match.


Henning Hauger scores the winning goal against VfL Osnabrück

Reds’ manager and players are happy

After the match, Mirko Slomka said that “some moments were particularly pleasing. This match wasn’t a normal dress rehearsal for us because we have too many players missing who are on international duty. To start with, we didn’t have many attacking options, so our forward movement wasn’t like we’d normally expect it to be, plus we had to make sure every player got 45 minutes under their belt.” Stindl managed just that, and also agreed with the manager’s thoughts on the match: “In the first half we struggled to get to grips with the game, nevertheless it was a reasonable test for us. We’re going to have to be a lot livelier when we’re playing competitive matches.” The Reds’ goalkeeper Markus Miller was able to enjoy the result as well having played 90 minutes and keeping a clean sheet: “We saw both teams play with real ambition so we can be pleased with that. Winning to nil isn’t bad either.”


Hannover 96: Miller - Cherundolo (46’ Chahed), Eggimann, Haggui (46’ Avevor), Pander (46’ Gießelmann) - Stindl (46’ Hauger), da Silva Pinto (46’ Schünemann), Schmiedebach, Huszti (63’ Andreasen), Rausch (46’ Nikci) - Schlaudraff (46’ Aycicek)
VfL Osnabrück: Riesmann (46’ Zumbeel) - Thomik, Pisot, Hudec, Thiel - Neidhart, Staffeldt (46’ Manno), Latkowski (46’ Zoller), Glockner (46’ Piossek), Nagy (46’ Zoller) - Grimaldi (72’ Nieweler)
Goals: 1-0 Hauger (66’)
Attendance: 2,400

mh