Pure drama: Hofstetten scores a last-minute equalizer against Greding!

Pure drama: Hofstetten scores a last-minute equalizer against Greding!

In an exciting duel, which Sportfreunde Hofstetten coach Anton Seitz described as a “final,” the two teams in the relegation race, Hofstetten and TSV Greding, separated with a 2-2 draw. The game, which took place on November 2nd, 2025, was particularly important for Hofstetten after they lost the previous derby against TSV Heideck with a disappointing 1:4.

The game started promisingly for the hosts, who showed fresh courage and led 1-0 at half-time. Simon Böttcher did an excellent job on the left flank and fed Patrick Willemsen in the 25th minute, who scored the much celebrated 1-0. But Greding was not left without an answer. Oliver Holland missed a good chance to equalize in the first half when he was stopped on the line by Hofstetten defender Robin Wölfel.

The turning point after the break

After halftime, however, there was a turning point in the game: Hofstetten goalkeeper Patrick Eberlein was shown a red card in the 49th minute because of an emergency brake. Oliver Fleischer, who came on as a substitute for Eberlein, was unable to hold on to the following free kick, and so Holland equalized to make it 1-1 in the 53rd minute.

The situation worsened for Hofstetten when Fabian Strobel scored to make it 2-1 for Greding in the 58th minute after an unfortunate attempt to clear the ball by Christian Graf. Despite being outnumbered, Hofstetten showed great fighting spirit and remained the stronger team, but the equalizer was not successful. Fleischer was also injured in a collision with the post and Patrick Hiemer had to take over in goal.

Last minute compensation

In a dramatic final phase, Hofstetten made the impossible possible. In added time, in the 90th + 5th minute, Willemsen hit the crossbar after a header from Julian Meier to make it 2-2. Emotions boiled over and the approximately 150 spectators experienced an incredible final spurt that gave Hofstetten a lot of hope for a positive end to the season.

The performances of the Sportfreunde Hofstetten this season were otherwise very mixed. After the winter break, the team found itself in a relegation place, but was able to have a successful second half of the season and secure relegation in the district league. The season ended with an exciting bus trip to Feuchtwangen to celebrate staying in the league, and ultimately Hofstetten was able to look back on 9th place in the final table - the best placement in 48 years of the club's history.

The fans of Sportfreunde Hofstetten also recently had reason to be happy when the first team won the city championship. In an exciting final, they beat their opponents 3-1. There is great anticipation for a new season, as training is scheduled to start on June 22nd, while the second team will begin preparations at the beginning of July.

Sports fans can expect a lot in the coming weeks, from club championships in the karate department to other festivities such as the solstice celebration on June 28th. Despite all the challenges that have had to be overcome this season, the focus at Sportfreunde Hofstetten remains clearly on the next goals and the already celebrated championship - and with such a final appearance against Greding, the team can look optimistically into the future.