FC 08 Homburg vs Pirmasens

Homburg dominated possession and build-up play from the outset, establishing a controlled rhythm in the middle third. But clear-cut chances were scarce in the first half. Jacob Roden came closest for the Regionalliga side when he shot narrowly wide from a tight angle just before the break. At the other end, Pirmasens' Luca Eichhorn lifted the ball over the crossbar at the near post, and the teams went in goalless at half-time.

Seitz made several changes at the interval, introducing Benedikt Heilig, Jan Steinmetz and Armend Qenaj among others. The adjustments brought more urgency. In the 51st minute, Michael Guthörl headed goalwards from a right-wing cross, only for Pirmasens goalkeeper Kupper to produce a sharp reaction save.

Homburg kept pushing and finally broke through in the 81st minute. A well-worked move down the left flank saw Armend Qenaj combine with Frederik Schumann, who had been introduced in the 67th minute. Schumann drove to the byline and pulled the ball back across the six-yard box, where Jacob Roden swept it home from close range.

Seitz's double substitution at half-time — bringing on Heilig (for Steinhart) and Steinmetz (for Andermatt) — shifted Homburg's shape higher up the pitch. The side pressed earlier and with more intensity in the second half, pinning Pirmasens deep. The introduction of Schumann on the left wing in the 67th minute added the width that eventually unlocked the defence. The decisive goal came from that same flank 14 minutes later.

Jacob Roden (Homburg) — The striker was Homburg's most dangerous attacking outlet throughout. He had the best chance of the first half before scoring the winner with a composed finish from close range. Player of the match.

Frederik Schumann (Homburg) — Came off the bench in the 67th minute and made the decisive contribution, driving to the byline and delivering the cut-back that produced the goal.

Kupper (Pirmasens) — The Pirmasens goalkeeper kept his side in the game with a fine reflex save to deny Guthörl's header in the 51st minute and could not be faulted for the goal.

Homburg's 1.0 xG to Pirmasens' approximate 0.3 (estimated from chances described) reflects a game of territorial control rather than relentless scoring opportunities. The 0-0 half-time scoreline was not a shock — the first 45 minutes produced only two meaningful efforts between the sides. Homburg's 12 total attempts (estimated) against Pirmasens' 3 underscores the one-way traffic after the break, but the final pass or shot was often lacking until Schumann's introduction supplied the missing quality in the final third.

The win completes Homburg's pre-season schedule before they head to their training camp in Hirschegg, Kleinwalsertal, starting 20 July. Two further friendlies are scheduled in Austria, beginning with FV Ravensburg on 21 July. The Regionalliga Südwest season kicks off in early August. Pirmasens, who play in the Oberliga Rheinland-Pfalz/Saar, used the fixture as a step-up in quality ahead of their own league campaign.

Homburg are now unbeaten in five pre-season outings, having beaten Emmelshausen-Karbach, Karlsruher SC II, and lost to SV Wehen Wiesbaden before facing Darmstadt 98 and now Pirmasens.

A deserved win built on patience and control. Homburg did exactly what a higher-division side should against an Oberliga opponent — dominated territory, created enough to win, and kept a clean sheet. The finishing touches remain a work in progress, but the structural foundation is solid with a week of training camp still to come.

FC 08 Homburg starting XI: Weyand – Eichhorn (Schumann 67), Steinhart (Heilig 46), Manu (Zapotoczny 82), Torres – Andermatt (Steinmetz 46), Petermann – Latifi (Qenaj 46), Ehrhart (Maruashvili 82), Guthörl (Weinel 82) – Roden

Scorer: Roden 81'

Referee: Julien Belzer

Venue: Sportplatz VfB Waldmohr