SC Paderborn 07 vs Fagiano Okayama

The match was played in four 30-minute blocks at Paderborn's training base in Kirchbichl, Austria, with head coach Ralf Kettemann rotating heavily across the 120 minutes.

Veteran striker Sven Michel broke the deadlock in the 40th minute. He struck again five minutes later, just before the end of the second quarter, to send Paderborn into the break 2-0 up. Michel was substituted at half-time after 45 minutes of action, having made his two chances count.

Fagiano Okayama pulled one back through Yuta Kamiya in the 59th minute, briefly threatening a comeback. But Sebastian Klaas restored Paderborn's two-goal cushion in the 100th minute, sealing the 3-1 win during the fourth and final quarter.

Michel's first-half brace in the space of five minutes (40', 45') effectively decided the match before Paderborn's mass changes took effect. The experienced forward, entering his ninth season with the club, produced the clinical finishing that will be crucial for Paderborn's Bundesliga campaign. Okayama's response through Kamiya came too late to alter the trajectory, and Klaas's 100th-minute strike extinguished any lingering hope.

• Sven Michel (Paderborn) — Two goals in five minutes, substituted at half-time. The 36-year-old forward showed he still carries the finishing instinct Paderborn will need in the Bundesliga. OneFootball named him as the match-winner.
• Sebastian Klaas (Paderborn) — Scored the decisive third goal in the 100th minute, putting the result beyond doubt.
• Yuta Kamiya (Okayama) — The forward scored Okayama's only goal in the 59th minute, the bright spot for the J1 League side.

Player of the match: Sven Michel (SC Paderborn 07)

Paderborn's 3-1 victory came from a format that favoured the Bundesliga side's deeper squad: four 30-minute quarters allowed Kettemann to use 26 players across the 120 minutes, as reported by the club's official media. The 2-0 half-time lead reflected Michel's efficiency rather than sustained dominance — two goals from a limited number of first-half touches. Fagiano Okayama's equal share of the second-half play produced Kamiya's 59th-minute strike, but the J1 League side could not sustain pressure across the final hour. The match was Paderborn's third win of pre-season following their comeback victory over Hannover 96 the previous week.

Paderborn completed their Austrian training camp with a third pre-season victory, building towards their Bundesliga return — their first top-flight campaign since 2019/20. Several summer signings featured, including Oliver Batista Meier, Luka Duric, Jano ter Horst and Tom Baack. Paderborn's next fixture is the opening round of the Bundesliga season away at Mainz. Fagiano Okayama continue their pre-season preparations ahead of the J1 League campaign.

A functional pre-season workout for Paderborn, who used the 120-minute format to give minutes to nearly their entire squad. Michel's sharpness in front of goal is the most encouraging sign for a side that will need every goal they can get in the Bundesliga. Okayama showed glimpses of quality through Kamiya but lacked the sustained pressure to trouble a well-drilled German side.

Match played in Kirchbichl, Austria. Format: 4 x 30 minutes.