S04 finish second in the Nevernot Cup – Moussa Sylla bags a hat-trick

The first game of the tournament, between SV Meppen and Kickers Emden, both of the Regionalliga Nord, ended 0-0. Emden won the tournament after claiming four points. The three games were played in front of 3,184 fans at the Hänsch-Arena, with each match a total of 45 minutes.

Schalke’s head coach named two completely different starting XIs, giving as many players minutes as possible. 22 players featured in total. Marcin Kaminski captained the Royal Blues in the first game, Kenan Karaman in the second.

Steffens lob secures win for Kickers Emden

New signing Peter Remmert had the first chance of the game against Emden, but the home goalkeeper got down low to deny him a shot on goal from Anton Donkor’s cross (2’). Kickers’ first opportunity of the game resulted in the opening goal. A long ball by Tobias Steffen found Tido Steffens on the edge of the box and he fended off a defender before dinking it over goalkeeper Michael Langer and into the back of the net (12’).

Schalke looked to find an immediate response against the fourth-division side, however their opponents were solid and allowed little space for shots. At the other end, Emden almost doubled their lead in the 27th minute. Goalscorer Tido Steffens struck an effort across the goal, missing the far post by a matter of inches.

For the Royal Blues, Bryan Lasme had the next chance, but the Frenchman’s lob over the goalkeeper Isaak Djokovic went just over the bar. In S04’s best period of the game, Peter Remmert headed wide from Max Grüger’s ball in (31’). The final chance of the game came for Anton Donkor in the 41st minute. He chested down a cross nicely and pulled the trigger, pulling his shot wide.

Three goals for Sylla, one for Mohr

Schalke also had the first decent attack of the second game and scored from it on this occasion. Moussa Sylla, who scored twice on his debut against SSVg Velbert during the week, showed his prowess in the final third once again this afternoon. Paul Seguin’s free-kick was spilled by SVM goalkeeper Julius Pünt and Sylla was there to gobble up the chance (4’). It didn’t take long for the hosts to find a response though. Christopher Schepp left Justin Heekeren with no chance in goal, firing an effort under the crossbar from just inside the box (9’).

Geraerts’ side dealt well with that setback and restored their lead again four minutes later. Mali international Sylla raced in behind after Karaman’s pass and played a one-two with Mohr in the box before striking a low shot into the bottom corner.

After two good moves by Schalke, Meppen came close to an equaliser. Marek Janssen’s attempt from a tight angle went just wide (19’). The striker didn’t have to wait long for his next chance and took it too. He headed home at the back post from a corner for 2-2 (23’).

The home team almost went 3-2 up as well. Luca Prasse’s brilliant strike from distance flew just past Heekeren’s left post. A minute later, the Knappen did make it 3-2 themselves. Tobias Mohr ran on to a long ball and picked out the far corner (34’). Meppen couldn’t come back for a third time and instead Schalke scored a fourth and final goal. Sylla left Pünt with no chance with what was the last kick of the tournament.

A week in Mittersill

The Schalke players will have a day off tomorrow and then head to Mittersill for a one-week training camp on Monday (8/7). Karel Geraerts’ side will play two friendlies during their time at the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern, firstly taking on FC Midtjylland on Wednesday (10/7, 18:00 CEST) and then Dynamo Kyiv on Saturday (13/7, 16:00 CEST).