Perfect Start: Viktoria Kick Off New Season with 3-1 Win at Hoffenheim

With a deserved 3-1 (1-0) away win against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim's second team, FC Viktoria Berlin made a successful start to the new Bundesliga 2 season. In front of 132 spectators at the Fit und Fun Sportpark, coach Miren Ćatović's side put in a convincing performance in sunny conditions of 30 degrees to open the campaign.

Penalty Brings the Early Lead

Viktoria made the perfect start: as early as the third minute, Aneta Polášková calmly converted a penalty to make it 0-1, after Sarah Klotz had been fouled in the right-hand corner of the box. Viktoria continued to dictate the game from there, creating further good attacking chances in the ninth minute. Gradually, however, Hoffenheim found their way better into the match, and by the 19th minute play had settled into a quieter spell without any major highlights.

Following a drinks break, there was renewed movement in the Viktoria attack: a chipped ball behind the defensive line found Nina Ehegötz, who was denied by the Hoffenheim goalkeeper. Moments later, Polášková tried her luck from a tight angle but could only find the side netting. Despite four minutes of added time, nothing more came of it – with a narrow 1-0 lead, the sides went into the break after a largely even first half.

Meyer Doubles the Lead Early in the Second Half, But Hoffenheim Fight Back

The Berliners came out for the second half unchanged – and struck again immediately: in the 48th minute, Christin Meyer drove through the centre and slotted the ball calmly into the bottom right corner to make it 0-2. Viktoria continued to set the tone from there, still holding a slight edge as late as the 63rd minute.

In the 65th minute, coach Ćatović made his first substitution: Leyila Aydin came on for Melina Reuter.

Hoffenheim then pulled one back in the 70th minute through Vivien Thomann, who dribbled through the box and finished from a right-of-centre position into the bottom right corner to make it 1-2. Ćatović responded with a double change: Vanessa Fürst came on for Sarah Klotz in the 76th minute, while Maya Hahn also replaced Alisa Grincenco.

Aydin Seals the Win

The decisive moment came in the 87th minute: after Hoffenheim failed to clear a corner, Leyila Aydin curled the ball superbly over the goalkeeper and into the far corner to make it 3-1. Shortly afterwards, Viktoria made their final double change of the match: Senanur Yavuz came on for Christin Meyer, and Kim Urbanek replaced Nina Ehegötz. In stoppage time, Aydin almost added another, but was denied by a fine save from the Hoffenheim goalkeeper. Beyond the goals, the second half otherwise offered few clear chances. After five minutes of added time, the final whistle blew: FC Viktoria Berlin secured a deserved 3-1 away win on the opening day of the season.

Summary & What's Next

With the opening-day away win, we make the perfect start to the new season with a maximum three points. Next up is Sunday 9 August at 2pm at the Stadion Lichterfelde against VfL Bochum. It's the first home game of the season – come down and support our team live in the stadium!

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Goals:

0-1 Polášková (3')

0-2 Meyer (48')

1-2 Thomann (70')

1-3 Aydin (87')

Starting XI:

Etzold, Klotz (Fürst, 76'), Ihlenburg, Reuter (Aydin, 65'), Grincenco (Hahn, 77'), Meyer (Yavuz, 88'), Krist, Stöckmann, Polaskova, Ehegötz (Urbanek, 88'), Casanovas