Pforzheim. On Sunday, October 31st, the time has come. Then it will be decided who will be the second promoter to GFL2, the second football Bundesliga. With the two victories at the start, the Ingolstadt Dukes have already secured their ticket, so the showdown for the last ascent ticket will take place in Pforzheim. The Pforzheim Wilddogs receive the Gießen Golden Dragons in the Brötzinger Tal stadium at Adolf-Richter-Straße 3 in Pforzheim. It starts at 2 p.m. With the Golden Dragons, however, there is no easy opponent in the gold city.
The guests did not do badly in their first game against the Dukes and lost 21:35. A result that, after the Wilddogs’ own game against the Dukes, increases respect and focus at the same time. “After last week we first realized where we are in this team of three teams. So it will be a tough job to endure Gießen at home, ”says head coach Michael Lang. But there is confidence: “We play at home, in front of our audience. The home advantage is a factor that should not be underestimated in football. He can make the strategic agreement much more difficult for the opponent. The more spectators there are and make noise for us, the better. “
Unfortunately, the Wilddogs have to do without some key players who have been injured in the past two games. The failure of defense player Jeremy Wenz, who suffered multiple fractures and torn ligaments in his leg in the game against Freiburg, is particularly hard. “Jeremy is a real support in the defense. We already felt his failure in Ingolstadt painfully. At the same time, I am also happy that he is already recovering from the operation and is on the mend ”, says Defense Coach Sascha Deger.
But the offense is also hit. Running back Chris Lipsey fell unlucky a few times with the Dukes, causing injuries to his foot and back. Its use is still questionable.
But despite the failures, Head Coach Lang can access a strong squad. “We had intensive units again with a focus on strategy and analysis. The goal on Sunday is to be focused on the pitch. If everyone calls up what we have prepared in training, then I think our chances are good. “
The Wilddogs expect a duel in which it goes right from the start. After all, this all-or-nothing game is about ascension. The tension is correspondingly great not only among the Pforzheimers.
Meanwhile, preparations in the stadium are in full swing. “It’s our first time playing in the Brötzinger Tal, so there are a number of new logistical challenges. In terms of technology, admission and catering, we are on completely new ground. But we are fortunate that we have a large number of supporters who are actively helping us here, ”says CEO Kai Höpfinger. He doesn’t want to say anything about what might happen after the game. “Now we’re playing on Sunday and then we’re going to tackle the goals for the next season, whatever league they are in.”
Advance sales are still open, but tickets will also be available at the box office on Sunday.
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