Holstein Kiel won the friendly against Danish top‑flight side Sønderjyske FB 2‑1 on Sunday, even though new defensive signing Sebastian Schonlau had to leave the pitch after just 15 minutes with a thigh injury.

What happened in the friendly?

The Danish side took the lead early, with Olti Hyseni scoring in the 2nd minute after a misplaced pass in Kiel's buildup. Holstein responded before halftime when Adrian Kapralik equalised in the 42nd minute. After the break, Kasper Davidsen secured the winner in the 68th minute. Coach Tim Walter was forced to replace Schonlau early, weakening the starting eleven.

Why does the result matter for the Storks?

Even as a friendly, the 2‑1 win sends a positive signal ahead of the season. The squad proved it could bounce back after an early setback – a trait that matters in the 2. Bundesliga. However, Schonlau’s injury raises concerns for the defence, especially as Kiel currently sits 12th in the 2. Bundesliga with 41 points and has lost its last five matches (LLL WW). The team must find a quick solution to avoid sinking further.

What’s next for the club?

From July 10‑20 the squad will travel to a training camp in Maria Alm, Austria. Additional friendlies are scheduled against Al Ahli on July 15 and Welsh second‑division side Swansea City on July 18. These games offer a chance to tighten the back line and reverse the recent slump before the league resumes. The current table shows Kiel 29 points behind leaders FC Schalke 04, indicating a long road ahead.

How does the season look so far?

Holstein Kiel has scored 44 goals and conceded 48, a -4 goal difference. The last official league result was a 2‑1 loss to Dynamo Dresden on May 17 2026. The recent form (0W‑0D‑5L) highlights the urgency. The team needs to keep using the attacking spark from Kapralik while reorganising the defence after Schonlau’s exit to avoid further defeats.

Outlook

Losing Schonlau is a setback, but the 2‑1 victory over Sønderjyske shows the Storks have the quality to compete. The upcoming Austrian friendlies will be crucial to get the squad back on track and restart the points chase in the 2. Bundesliga.