2-1 – HSV Women win friendly against Mainz 05

The Hamburg women got off to a somewhat shaky start. After a brief period of feeling each other out, it was the Mainz women who created the first scoring chance about ten minutes into the game. However, the shot from the second row sailed over the goal and posed no serious threat to HSV goalkeeper Kinga Szemik.

Cardoso’s team initially struggled to find their rhythm but got into the game better as it went on, thanks in part to several dangerous set pieces. After 20 minutes, the Rothosen took the lead: Svea Stoldt sent a corner into the middle, where the Mainz defense initially cleared it with a header. Lurking in the back, however, was Leila Peneau, who struck the ball first time. Her shot was slightly deflected, making it unstoppable for Mainz goalkeeper Matsumoto. 1-0 for HSV.

Shortly thereafter, Stoldt created another dangerous opportunity. Her free kick from about 25 meters was well struck, but Matsumoto was on her toes and defused the Hamburg player’s attempt.

Toward the end of the first half, the Rothosen increasingly took control of the game and pressed for a second goal. Shortly before halftime, however, Mainz also made a dangerous run toward the HSV goal. Szemik was there, though, and made a strong save on the shot at the near post. So the teams headed into the locker rooms with HSV leading 1-0.

The second half began under the watchful eye of Bremen’s head coach, Friederike Kromp, who attended the friendly match as an interested spectator.

Even after the break, the first chance went to the visitors from Mainz. A shot from deep in the box hit the post - a lucky break for the Hamburg team.

What followed was an evenly matched game with few chances in the penalty area. For long stretches, the action took place in midfield. In the 75th minute, Camilla Linberg broke through with a quick run down the right side and passed the ball to Paulina Bartz. However, the Hamburg native was unable to capitalize on the opportunity.

Shortly thereafter, the equalizer came: After a Mainz attack down the wing, the Rothosen were unable to contain the play in the center. Leonie Stöhr took advantage of the open space and headed the ball in to make it 1-1.

With the score tied, the match went into the agreed-upon 30-minute overtime after 90 minutes. Mainz got off to the better start, but young goalkeeper Clementine Engel kept HSV from falling behind with a strong double save and made two crucial saves in a pinch.

Shortly afterward came the best play of the game, and the Rothosen regained the lead. Jonna Wrede powered her way past several defenders on the wing and laid the ball back to substitute Viktoria Schwalm. The forward took aim and curled the ball precisely into the corner to make it 2-1 for HSV.

After that, the Rothosen began threatening the Mainz goal more frequently. First, Linberg missed a chance to seal the win after a through ball from Nikola Karczewska. Shortly afterward, Melina Krüger had two chances to make it 3-1: First, the 19-year-old shot from a tight angle and sent the ball just over the crossbar; moments later, she fired the ball over the goal from close range as well.

In the closing stages, the Hamburg women stepped up their efforts once more and pressed for the winning goal. Substitute Pauline Machtens hit the crossbar with a long-range shot. Just a few minutes later, the woodwork came to Mainz’s rescue again when Nina Räcke’s header struck the crossbar.

The Mainz women remained dangerous as well. After Wrede lost possession, the visitors quickly transitioned and launched a counterattack. Lena Martens, however, was alert, slid in, and cleared the ball off the line at the last second.

Thus, after 120 minutes, the score remained 2-1 in favor of the Rothosen, who concluded their training camp on a high note.