A first outing for the new home kit and several debutants in a 14-0 win over VfB Hüls

Five new signings featured for the first time at the EVONIK Sportpark, with Alexander Schwolow starting the game and Ibrahima Cissé, Tom Krauß, Florent Mollet and Sebastian Polter all coming on in the second half. New head coach Frank Kramer, plus new assistant Beniamino Molinari, were on the touchline for the first time too. 22 players were handed minutes, including Elias Kurt and Sidi Sané, who were in the U19s last season, and Niklas Castelle, normally part of the U23s.

Terodde scores the first goal in the new home kit

As expected, Schalke, playing a side more than several leagues below them, took control of the game right away and went ahead after eight minutes. The first goal in the new home kit, released only this afternoon, was scored by Simon Terodde. Last season’s top goalscorer dinked one over the goalkeeper after an Elias Kurt pass.

The opening goal made S04’s number 9 hungry for more and he went on to score five further goals in the first half (10’, 22’, 25’, 27’, 43’). A few other players also got on the scoresheet, including Thomas Ouwejan, who scored a stunning free-kick from the edge of the box in the 17th minute. Dong-gyeong Lee bagged twice (19’, 38’) and youngster Elias Kurt found the net after 29 minutes. That meant the Royal Blues were 10-0 up at the break.

Debut goals for Polter and Mollet

Frank Kramer made 11 changes for the second half, as planned. Despite their best efforts, it took the new side a while to get the 11th goal. Even after creating several good chances, they had to wait until the 70th minute, when signing Sebastian Polter broke the home side’s resistance. He then added the the 12th of the night four minutes later.

The striker then showed his creative ability, setting up Niklas Castelle for 13-0 (79’). There was time for one more goal, and it was another debutant, Florent Mollet, who got it. The 14th and final goal came eight minutes from the end for the Royal Blues.

Away to a newly-promoted Regionalliga side

The next friendly is on Saturday (2/7) away to Blau-Weiß Lohne, who won promotion to the Regionalliga Nord just a few weeks ago. That match will kick off at 15:30 CEST.