VfL Halle vs SV Babelsberg 03

Halle's quick-fire response through Krogmann just before half-time could have shifted momentum. Had they held out to the interval at 0-2, the second half might have looked different. Instead, the 1-2 scoreline handed Halle belief — but Babelsberg's superior fitness and organisation, hallmarks of Braune's early work, told in the final quarter as von Piechowski's late goal killed the contest.

Ardahan Yilmaz (SV Babelsberg 03) — Opened the scoring with a composed finish in the 17th minute, setting the tone for the away side's dominant display.

Laurin von Piechowski (SV Babelsberg 03) — Scored the crucial third goal in the 84th minute to snuff out any hopes of a Halle comeback.

Eric Krogmann (VfL Halle 96) — The home side's standout player, netting the equaliser just before the break and leading Halle's brief resurgence.

Player of the Match: Ardahan Yilmaz — influential in build-up and clinical in front of goal.

The scoreline accurately reflected the gulf in class between a Regionalliga Nordost side and an Oberliga Süd opponent. Babelsberg created the clearer chances across the 90 minutes and managed the game effectively after Halle's equaliser, waiting for the right moment to deliver the decisive blow. The 1-3 result mirrored the pattern of their January 2026 meeting, which Babelsberg won 6-0, though Halle were far more competitive this time around.

The victory was Babelsberg's second pre-season friendly win of summer 2026, following a win over 1. FC Magdeburg II on 27 June. The fixture was the first part of a demanding double-header weekend for Braune's squad; they face FC Eilenburg on Saturday 4 July at 12:00 local time.

For VfL Halle, this was their opening pre-season fixture of the 2026/27 campaign. Despite the defeat, the performance showed promise — particularly the quick response through Krogmann — as they build towards the new Oberliga Süd season starting in late July or early August 2026.

A controlled, professional pre-season display from Babelsberg against a lower-tier opponent. Braune's side did what was required without needing to hit top gear. Halle showed spirit in patches but were ultimately outclassed by the step up in quality. The 1-3 scoreline was a fair reflection of the 90 minutes.