Holstein Kiel has suffered its first defeat in the preseason friendly match series. With a score of 1:3, the personnel-depleted second-division football team lost to Danish second-division team FC Fredericia at their home training center.

What happened?

Despite an improved performance in the second half, only KSV goal scorer Phil Harres scored to temporarily reduce the deficit to 1:2.

The result is secondary, said Holstein Kiel coach Tim Walter after the final whistle. The team has had an intense week of training.

The new season

Holstein Kiel is currently in 12th place in the 2. Bundesliga with 41 points from 34 games and a recent form of LLWWW.

The new player

Apart from the obvious lack of consistency in defense and attack, a man in civilian clothes was in the focus of Holstein Kiel on the sidelines: Sebastian Schonlau, whose signing was officially confirmed on Saturday morning.

The 31-year-old central defender comes from MSL runner-up Vancouver Whitecaps on a free transfer and has signed a performance-based contract at Holstein Kiel.

The future

The fact that Schonlau played only one competitive game in Canada alongside 2014 World Cup winner Thomas Müller due to Achilles tendon and calf problems within almost twelve months is not considered a risk by either sports director Olaf Rebbe or Walter.

Holstein Kiel will continue to work on preparations for the new season in the coming days. With 44 goals scored and 48 conceded, the team has a negative goal difference of -4. The team is 29 points behind leaders FC Schalke 04. The last game ended with a 2:1 defeat against Dynamo Dresden on May 17, 2026. The current form of Holstein Kiel is 0W-0D-5L, having lost the last 5 games.