Our Junior Bundesliga teams will continue their run of pre-season friendlies with fixtures against strong opponents this weekend.

The U17s are set to host TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at the Brackel performance centre on Saturday (kick-off 15:00 CET). "It'll be a case of a top team from the south taking on a top team from the western region. It'll be a first indication of where we're at," said coach Sebastian Geppert, who has a full squad at his disposal.

The same cannot be said of U19 coach Mike Tullberg, who has several key players unavailable ahead of a clash with ambitious Bundesliga North side FC St. Pauli on Sunday (13:00 CET in Neuenkirchen-Vörde). Goalkeeper Silas Ostrzinski has recently suffered an injury, though Marian Kirsch and Vasco Walz are back to fitness.

The following weekend (7-8 August) will see both teams take part in the inaugural edition of the NRW-Cup. (wiwi)

Detailed reports to follow on the youth websites