SSV Ulm 1846 vs Stuttgart II

The match was played in sweltering summer conditions at the small venue in Jungingen, a few kilometres from Ulm's Donaustadion. Stuttgart II, preparing for their 3. Liga campaign, started brightly and broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute. A short backpass from the Ulm defence was pounced upon by Mattheos Tsigkas, who rounded the goalkeeper and slotted home.

Four minutes later, the lead was doubled. Mattis Hoppe slipped in a defensive duel on the right flank, allowing Antonijo Janjic to cut inside and fire a precise 20-metre strike into the bottom right corner.

The knockout blow came three minutes before half-time. Referee Aydin pointed to the spot after a foul in the box, and Nicolas Sessa sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from 12 yards, despite Novakovic guessing the correct corner. 0-3 at the break.

Ulm made three changes at the interval — Takahara, Taffertshofer and Gölz entered the fray — but Stuttgart II added a fourth in the 55th minute. Majchrzak dribbled into the penalty area and finished low into the left corner to complete the scoring.

The 32nd-minute opener was the catalyst. Until the short backpass gifted Stuttgart II the lead, the game had been relatively even — Ulm's Lucas Röser had been denied a shot on goal in the 3rd minute after a through ball from Alex Azevedo, and the first 30 minutes had been played largely in midfield. The cheap concession, followed by two further goals in the space of 10 minutes, killed the contest before half-time.

Mattheos Tsigkas (Stuttgart II): Set the tone with a sharp striker's finish to open the scoring, reading the play quicker than the Ulm defence.

Antonijo Janjic (Stuttgart II): His 20-yard strike from a wide position was the pick of the goals, showing composure and technique after Hoppe's slip.

Nicolas Sessa (Stuttgart II): Coolly dispatched the penalty to make it 3-0 right before half-time, effectively ending the contest.

Robin Mantel (SSV Ulm 1846): Replaced Novakovic at half-time and made a sharp save in the 65th minute to keep the scoreline from growing further.

Stuttgart II scored four goals from chances created across four separate attacks — clinical finishing rather than sustained dominance. The 0-4 scoreline was more severe than the balance of open play suggested, but Ulm's defensive errors (a short backpass, a slip, a conceded penalty) made the difference. The 3-0 half-time lead was the decisive statistical marker; the fourth goal after the break merely confirmed the gap. Ulm created their own opportunities — Röser went close in the 3rd minute and again just before half-time — but lacked the final touch in the box.

This was Ulm's first defeat of pre-season, at a point where fatigue is expected. Coach Thomas Jungwirth told SWP his players were "tired in the head and in the legs" (Source: SWP, 25 July 2026). The Spatzen face one more friendly, away at SSV Jahn Regensburg next Saturday, before opening their Regionalliga season at Stuttgarter Kickers — a fixture that will draw over 2,000 travelling Ulm supporters.

For Stuttgart II, who compete in the 3. Liga, this was a useful workout against lower-division opposition. They also begin their league season in two weeks' time.

A deserved victory for the third-division side, built on a ruthless 13-minute spell before half-time. Ulm's pre-season fitness and concentration levels will need to sharpen before the competitive games begin, but the margin flattered Stuttgart II — the fundamental gap between the sides was not as wide as the scoreboard suggested.

Player of the Match: Antonijo Janjic (Stuttgart II) Attendance: ~1,000 (Source: SSV Ulm 1846 official website) Venue: Jungingen (near Ulm)