Pre-Match Report
Home game to end the season: BVB women welcome Spoho Köln
The scenario
When asked about his Borussia women’s side’s convincing 7-0 away win against SGS Essen U21 last Sunday, Markus Högner gave a positive assessment: “Like most youth teams, Essen are a side that like to play a proactive game. Given that we were leading 2-0 at half-time, the plan for the second half was therefore to push for that crucial third goal. We managed to do that at just the right moment so that our opponents began to run out of steam, which was also partly aided by the hot weather.” Meanwhile, the situation at the top of the Regionalliga West table remains unchanged as 1. FC Köln’s U21s remain two points clear of the Dortmund side. “We’ll approach the upcoming fixture just like any other match,” reveals the coach, referring to the familiar situation. “We can influence only our own performance and will continue to maintain a high level of concentration in training.”
Personnel matters
As for Jenske Steenwijk, who was unable to play last weekend due to knee problems, a decision on whether she will feature in the season finale is still pending. Markus Högner: “We’ll have to wait and see what the MRI scan reveals and how her knee responds. Otherwise, we have a very good alternative in Mia Böger for Sunday.”
The opponent
The Black & Yellows welcome the women’s team from Vorwärts Spoho Köln, who currently sit ninth in the table. In the reverse fixture, the Rhinelanders managed to keep BVB at bay for a long time, but in the 53rd minute, Ann-Sophie Vogel opened the scoring with a goal that ultimately paved the way for a deserved 4-0 away win. “The Cologne side have several players in their ranks who bring a certain quality to the table,” notes Markus Högner. “I’m thinking in particular of Gianna Rackow, who has Bundesliga experience and has already scored ten goals this season.” Nevertheless, the manager expects his favourites to take all three points.
Highlights, setbacks, team spirit
The 2025/26 season, which is now drawing to a close, was characterised by high-scoring victories, highlights such as the clash with FC Bayern Munich in the DFB Pokal, and a promotion battle that went down to the wire. However, serious injuries, dropped points in the league and elimination in the round of 16 of the Westfalen-Pokal at FC Schalke 04 are also part of this season’s story. “What has set us apart over all these weeks and months is that we have stuck together at all times, even during difficult periods,” sums up Markus Högner. “The fact that we have gelled so quickly is undoubtedly also down to the excellent training facilities and the work of the entire coaching staff.”
The final match of the Regionalliga West season kicks off at 13:00 CEST on Sunday at the Rote Erde Stadium. Tickets for the match against Vorwärts Spoho Köln are available from the online ticket shop (standing: €3; seated: €5). As always, anyone unable to support the BVB women in person can watch the match live and free of charge on Pluto TV.
Robert Targan