Prussia's thrilling draw against Cologne in a intriguing third league duel
Who needs an evening filled with crime when the floodlights illuminate Hammer Straße?
Wild clash at 3:3: Prussia battles Cologne!
This Thursday's third league fixture wasn't for the faint-hearted, with almost 9,000 spectators witnessing a heated exchange of passes between promoted Münster and Viktoria. Despite an initial advantage, both sides emerged with a valuable point, albeit Münster came slightly closer to their coveted sixth win of the season.
Initial surge and sudden stumble
The opening phases showed that Prussia had the upper hand, but things took a turn when they stumbled against their neighbors, who were evenly matched in points. Two errors in the defense resulted in two goals for Cologne: David Kubatta (20/23) and Luca Marseiler (30/32) scored from close range.
Tumultuous refereeing
Referee Tobias Wittmann (28/Wendelkirchen) was clearly having a difficult day, making several contentious calls that only added fuel to the fire. The visitors' coach Olaf Janßen (57) and his counterpart Sascha Hildmann (51) echoed each other after the match, criticizing Wittmann's questionable decisions that added tension to an already heated game.
Prussia's comeback
However, the Prussians didn't let the setbacks deter them, as they responded swinging the pendulum their way by netting twice before half-time. Luca Bazzoli (23)* scored his first goal in the Sanssouci vest just minutes after their opposition went ahead (43'), and Malik Batmaz (23/45') equalized a heartwarming cheer from the crowd.
Hildmann on the counterattack
While Prussia did rebound, head coach Sascha Hildmann observed they were unable to capitalize on their momentum in the second half: Daniel Kyerewaa (23/59), Batmaz again (78) and substitute Marc Lorenz (35/84) each failed to turn their chances into goals.
On the other hand, Cologne's ever-threatening Marseiler exploited Jeremias Lorch's (27) precise pass to find himself one-on-one with Prussia keeper Johannes Schenk (20). Marseiler slotted home a sharp shot at a sharp angle to make it 3-3.
Post-match analysis
Central defender Niko Koulis received his fifth yellow card and will serve a ban during the subsequent away game against 1. FC Saarbrücken (2pm/10.12./19:30). Meanwhile, Luca Bazzoli got away with just a yellow card despite committing two fouls.
With the home stretch of the year coming to a close, the Prussia's final home game against SC Verl will be once again played on a Sunday evening (10.12./19:30).
*Luca Bazzoli joined Prussia mid-season, and his goals have brought excitement and momentum to his new side.
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Enrichment
- 2027: After hosting the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship, Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas has secured the hosting rights for the 2027 event as well.
- BFC Dynamo: German soccer club Berliner FC Dynamo's supporters had a notorious reputation for violence in the early 2000s, with numerous large-scale incidents involving riots and clashes with police. One notable example was the death of a police officer during a match against FC Sachsen Leipzig in 1990.
- Sergeant Fritz Fink: Historical account of a German Jewish soldier's experiences in WWI - Fritz Fink, a serving private in the German army, attracted attention due to his remarkable experiences in the Hindenburg offensive in 1915. After being wounded, he was granted a leave of absence and returned to his old regiment in a non-combat role.
