SV Rodinghausen vs Hessen Kassel

Elezi's 17th-minute opener from the halfway line was more than a spectacular goal — it forced Kassel to chase the game on a hot afternoon in Rödinghausen. Though Kassel equalised through Dahlke's bicycle kick, the energy expended in the response left them vulnerable, and Höck's header from the resulting corner swing three minutes later proved decisive.

• Fatlum Elezi (SV Rödinghausen): The captain delivered a goal-of-the-season contender from the halfway line and added an assist from a corner for Höck's winner. A complete midfield performance in the final pre-season outing.
• Jan Dahlke (Hessen Kassel): His bicycle-kick equaliser was the standout moment for the visitors and showed the quality Kassel will bring into the new season.
• Alexander Höck (SV Rödinghausen): Rose highest to meet Elezi's corner and powered home the header that proved to be the winner.

Player of the Match: Fatlum Elezi (SV Rödinghausen)

The match was a typically competitive pre-season friendly between two Regionalliga sides. Rödinghausen's ability to regain the lead within three minutes of Kassel's equaliser — a 31st-minute goal following a 28th-minute equaliser — highlighted their resilience. The 2-1 half-time scoreline held through a second half in which both managers rotated their squads, reflecting the preparatory nature of the fixture.

This was the final pre-season friendly for both sides. SV Rödinghausen now turn their attention to the Regionalliga West 2026/27 season, which kicks off on 31 July-1 August 2026. Hessen Kassel have one more high-profile friendly before their competitive season begins: a meeting with Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04 at the Auestadion on 1 August 2026 (14:00 kick-off). The Schalke friendly is already sold out, per club announcements.

Kassel manager René Klingbeil told HNA: "The test was good, the result not." He added that his side had lost pre-season friendlies against Paderborn and Erfurt as well, but said: "We don't want to overstate it. We don't play these friendlies purely for results." Klingbeil confirmed Luis Podolski was rested with muscular problems.

A worthwhile workout for two Regionalliga clubs at different stages of preparation. Elezi's audacious strike will be the lasting memory, but Rödinghausen's quick response to Kassel's equaliser was the more telling sign of their readiness for the season ahead.