Karlsruhe II vs SV Sandhausen

The first period was a cagey, low-event affair. Sandhausen named a strong starting XI featuring Arthur Lyska in goal, Niklas Tarnat, Mert Tasdelen, Yannick Osee, Phil Halbauer, Lukas Mazagg, Ken Gipson, Stefan Maderer, Marco Kehl-Gomez, Tom Glock and Batu Akgöz. They controlled possession but created few clear-cut chances against a disciplined Karlsruhe II side organised by Dietmar Blicker.

Sandhausen made three changes before the interval — Lukas Schneller replaced Lyska in goal, while Luka Vukoja and Leo Burkhart came on for Maderer and Mazagg respectively (40').

Kevin Stotz then rotated almost his entire outfield for the second half. Eight new faces entered the pitch: Kwabe Schulz, David Mamutovic, Jahn Herrmann, trialist Saliou Sane, Yanis Outman, Seyhan Yigit, Tasos Leonidis and Imad Jaadar.

The reshuffle paid dividends inside 12 minutes. Leonidis broke the deadlock in the 57th minute, finishing from close range after sustained Sandhausen pressure. Trialist Sane doubled the lead in the 66th minute, converting after another period of second-half dominance.

Sandhausen's intensity dipped late on. Noah Loos replaced Schneller in goal (80'), and Karlsruhe II finally found a way through when Baumstark scored in the 92nd minute. The visitors held on for a 2-1 win.

The mass half-time substitution — eight outfield changes at once — effectively decided the contest. Sandhausen's second-string outfield was sharper and more incisive than a Karlsruhe side that had largely matched the SVS first XI before the break. Leonidis and Sane exploited that freshness inside 11 second-half minutes, and the game was effectively settled before the hour mark.

Tasos Leonidis (SV Sandhausen) — opened the scoring with a composed 57th-minute finish and was lively throughout the second half. The most dangerous attacker on the pitch.

Saliou Sane (trialist, SV Sandhausen) — a candidate to earn a contract. Scored the second goal in the 66th minute and showed strong link-up play in a 24-minute cameo.

Baumstark (Karlsruhe II) — the only Karlsruhe player to beat Sandhausen's rearguard, scoring a late consolation in the 92nd minute.

The match was played in two 50-minute halves rather than the standard 90 minutes, a common pre-season format to maximise squad minutes. Sandhausen effectively fielded two entirely different teams: only Schneller (keeper, 40'–80'), Burkhart and Vukoja bridged both halves. The SVS official report noted Sandhausen were "the dominant team" across both periods, with Karlsruhe only finding parity in the closing stages.

Sandhausen have now won both pre-season friendlies under Kevin Stotz, who was confirmed as permanent head coach in April 2026 after taking over mid-season. The club plays in the Regionalliga Südwest (fourth tier) after finishing 8th in the 2025/26 3. Liga season. Karlsruhe II, the reserve side of Karlsruher SC, compete in the Oberliga Baden-Württemberg (fifth tier) and finished 8th in 2025/26. Their next pre-season test is against SC Hauenstein on 8 July, per their published summer schedule.

A useful workout for both sides in an unconventional format. Sandhausen's squad depth looked promising, and trialist Sane's performance will give Stotz food for thought. The late concession will irk the coach, but two wins from two is a clean start to pre-season for a side rebuilding in the Regionalliga.