Freiburg (AP) – SC Freiburg’s dress rehearsal for the new season was a success. At the season opener in the Europa-Park stadium, the Bundesliga soccer team defeated the Italian first division club FC Empoli 2-0 (1-0) in front of 23,600 spectators on Saturday.
After Michael Gregoritsch failed to score a penalty kick on guest goalkeeper Elia Caprile (18th), Lucas Höler scored the lead for SC in the 33rd minute. The striker had successfully speculated after a back pass from the Italians and was shot by the Empoli keeper in such a way that the ball went into the goal. In the second half, Gregoritsch headed in after a corner to make it 2-0 (54th), after having missed two good chances with a header.
Freiburg captain Christian Günter, who broke his forearm in the first preparatory game against Grasshoppers Club Zürich, made his comeback in the second half. He was also there when there was a 45-minute second helping, which was counted as a new game at the request of the guests.
On Sunday next week, the SC meets the Oberliga side SV Oberachern in the first round of the DFB Cup.
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