Farewells, a dream start, a home win: Viktoria beats Warbeyen 3-0

A slightly cloudy sky over Lichterfelde, 21 degrees, 658 spectators in the stadium — and an afternoon full of emotion. Before the home game against the already-relegated VfR Warbeyen, FC Viktoria Berlin bid farewell to several key figures at the club: Aylin Yaren, Eunice Beckmann, Henrike Sahlmann, Margarita Gidion, Gina Schüller, goalkeeper coach Marco Sejna, and physical therapist Celine Mantos. And fittingly, it was Yaren, of all people, who ensured a perfect start to an all-around successful afternoon of soccer.

Just 27 seconds into the game, the ball was already in the Warbeyen net. A long pass found Leyila Aydin, who played it on to Aylin Yaren. Our number 25 kept her cool in front of the goal and slotted the ball low into the far corner — 1-0 for Viktoria, right off the bat!

Viktoria dominates the early stages

Coach Miren Ćatović’s team immediately took control and gave Warbeyen little room to breathe. Viktoria played with intensity, won many second balls, and repeatedly put together dangerous attacking moves. A sharply struck free kick by Yaren even hit the crossbar in the ninth minute.

Things got particularly emotional in the 16th minute: Goal scorer Aylin Yaren left the field for the last time in her career to loud applause, and Laura Casanovas entered the game.

After about twenty minutes, the game evened out somewhat, but Viktoria quickly regained control. While clear scoring chances were rare during this phase, our team was clearly the more active side.

And then came stoppage time in the first half. Both teams seemed to have already accepted the halftime whistle, but Katharina Krist sent a sharp cross into the box once more. There, Leyila Aydin nodded the ball into the net to make it 2-0 (45'). The perfect finish to a strong first half!

Viktoria remained in control after the break

At the start of the second half, Ćatović brought on Sarah Abu Sabbah for Trinity Künzel — and Viktoria immediately kept up the pressure. Nina Ehegötz made her presence felt right after the restart, but her shot flew just over the crossbar.

The team from Lichterfelde continued to dominate the game. After several blocked shots, Leyila Aydin hit the post in the 55th minute — the second time the ball had struck the woodwork in just a few minutes.

Three minutes later, however, the game was decided: The ball slipped through to Nina Ehegötz on the left side, who didn’t hesitate and skillfully slotted it into the net. 3-0 for FC Viktoria!

Viktoria then made further substitutions: Maja Wasiak replaced Nina Ehegötz (66th minute), and shortly after, Pia Metzker and Margarita Gidion came on for Sarah Klotz and Alisa Grincenco (68th minute).

After that, the game lost some of its pace. Warbeyen struggled to create chances, while Viktoria confidently controlled both the ball and their opponents. However, things took a bitter turn in the 78th minute: Laura Casanovas had to leave the field injured, even though all substitution slots had already been used. Viktoria thus had to play out the final phase with one player down.

Fifth Place Secured

With this victory, FC Viktoria Berlin remains in fifth place in the standings—now seven points ahead of sixth place.

The final game of the season will take place on Sunday, May 17, at 2 p.m. away at Karl-Liebknecht-Stadion against Turbine Potsdam.

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Goals:

1:0 Yaren (1')

2:0 Aydin (45')

3:0 Ehegötz (58')

Starting XI:

Schüller, Klotz (Metzker, 68'), Ursem, Sahlmann, Grincenco (Gidion, 68'), Künzel (Abu Sabbah, 45'), Krist, Stöckmann, Yaren (Casanovas,16'), Ehegötz (Wasiak, 66'), Aydin