KSV Hessen Kassel wins 2:0 in the Hesse derby – Brill given an emotional farewell

KSV Hessen Kassel combined its last home appearance of the season at the Auestadion with an important sporting success and an emotional farewell. In the 2:0 (0:0) against TSV Steinbach Haiger – in front of 3,312 spectators – the goals only came after the break. In the 88th minute, Frederic Brill, in his last home game, got the moment the stadium had demanded: the farewell on the pitch.

KSV works its way into the game after an even opening phase

The task was demanding: Steinbach arrived as third in the table, Kassel entered the match as eighth. In addition, TSV came with momentum – six wins from the last seven games, including two 6:0 results against Schott Mainz and at FSV Frankfurt.

In the opening phase, Steinbach had more possession and got the first shots through Singer and Kircher, but KSV goalkeeper Weyand remained alert.

Kassel needed a few minutes to get a grip, but then found better rhythm through early pressing and down the right side. Najjar delivered several crosses into the penalty area, and KSV also earned a series of set pieces. Girth missed once in the center, Stark almost got to the ball with a header, shots from Rupp and Bravo Sanchez were blocked or defused.

So it remained 0:0 at halftime – also because KSV could not yet convert its field advantage from the second phase of the first half into clear chances.

Personnel-wise, Kassel started with changes: Benjamin Girth replaced Jan Dahlke in the starting eleven, Danny Breitfelder came in for Emre Böyükata. The referee for the match was Tobias Huthmacher from Sigmaringen.

Boche scores after pressure phase, Bräunling decides the derby

After the break, the match remained open. Steinbach had chances through Firat and Lee, Weyand kept KSV in the game.

On the other side, Kassel also missed chances: Bonianga was put in good positions several times, once the decisive finish was missing, in other situations crosses and headers narrowly missed their target.

The lead came in a phase when Kassel was applying more pressure. In the 68th minute, Bravo Sanchez flicked on with his head to the near post, where Boche was unmarked and headed in for 1:0. The goal visibly gave KSV confidence: Kassel remained present in the duels, played attacks more purposefully, and used space more consistently.

The decision followed in the 81st minute. Cornelius Bräunling had just been substituted in, won the ball on the right side, drove the action forward at pace, and finished into the top left corner for 2:0.

All in all, the win was deserved because Kassel had the clearer pressure phases after the break and was efficient in the decisive moments. With the win, KSV now stands at 51 points and, at least theoretically, still has a chance at third place before the final matchday. Yellow cards were shown to Stark and Boche.

Brill's farewell shapes the home finale

Despite the sporting significance, the afternoon was above all marked by Frederic Brill, who has played for KSV since 2015 and was making his last home appearance in the Lions' jersey. Even before kickoff, the atmosphere was set: an oversized jersey hung on the east stand, Brill donated 800 free tickets for the north curve, and images from his time at the club played on the video wall.

Before the game, Brill was officially bid farewell and made an honorary member by Jens Rose. Rose also recalled a number that has characterized Brill's style on the pitch for years: 99 yellow cards. Coach Tobi Damm found personal words: "You shaped the team, you shaped the dressing room. And you were always a person with a big heart. I got to know you as a friend, you leave a big gap both sportingly and personally." Brill himself said with tears in his eyes: "I will miss you all, you will be missed. Before I start crying even more, I'd better stop now."

Other players were also bid farewell. Bräunling said: "I really enjoyed playing here." Jakob Kuntze explained: "I think that at some point I will be led back here." Luis Podolski said goodbye with the words: "I had a lot of fun here, keep supporting the club." Benjamin Girth, who was substituted in the second half and will move to Espenau, said: "I'm happy that I was able to get back on my feet here in my last year."

The emotional highlight at the Auestadion came in the 88th minute: The crowd loudly demanded Brill's substitution with "Freddy, Freddy" chants. Then he actually came onto the field one more time. The spectators stood up, the team formed a guard of honor – and Brill was celebrated on the pitch.

So it remains a home finale that carries weight for KSV in both respects: three points against the third in the table, 51 points – and a farewell that once again moved the entire stadium.