On January 28, 2025, Greifswalder FC celebrated not only the commencement of their Regionalliga season but also the festive inauguration of their new floodlights, leading to a resounding 4-1 victory over FC Viktoria 1889 Berlin at Volksstadion. This match was particularly significant as it marked the return of competitive play following the winter break and the postponement of their earlier encounter scheduled for November, which was canceled due to harsh weather conditions.
Greifswalder FC's management expressed great enthusiasm for the floodlight facility, which is expected to benefit multiple sports, not just football. GFC Managing Director Daniel Gutmann remarked, “The floodlight system is a significant upgrade for the sports facility,” emphasizing how it fulfills the necessary requirements imposed by the Nordostdeutscher Fußballverband for playing at this level. The project, costing around 850,000 euros, saw generous financial support from the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, contributing 500,000 euros, and the city of Greifswald providing another 250,000 euros.
The match itself was filled with thrilling action, showcasing the talent of the home team. Greifswalder FC quickly established their dominance, with Ogechika Heil putting them on the scoreboard first at the 14-minute mark. Following him, Enes Küc equalized for Viktoria just three minutes after, sparking hopes for the visitors. But Greifswalder surged back with strikes from Yasin Atilgan and Farbod Benyamina, solidifying their lead at 4-1 by halftime.
This match also featured the debut of the new signing, Sydney Mohamed Sylla, who had been officially announced only hours before. Known for his versatility, Sylla previously played at SV Sparta Lichtenberg, where he had impressive stats, tallying seven goals and three assists over ten matches. “This was my first match and debut, and I was excited to join the team,” Sylla remarked post-match about his experience, illustrating his eagerness to integrate quickly with his new squad.
Notably, Sylla’s contributions from the bench were evident as he was instrumental after being brought on at the 56th minute, directly influencing the team’s momentum. With several new players like Jerome Scholz and Noah Jones also making their start for Viktoria, the depth of talent on both squads was on display.
Despite the significant loss, FC Viktoria’s coaching staff expressed pride over the players’ efforts, especially noting the resilience shown during the match. The 1,173 fans who attended the match left entertained, witnessing not only a significant win for Greifswald but also the successful launch of the floodlights illuminating their home field for the first time.
This decisive win propels Greifswalder FC forward, instilling confidence as they head back to practice preparing for their next fixture. The victory is set to resonate with the players and fans alike, marking the start of what organizers hope to be a promising season both on and off the pitch.
FC Viktoria Berlin, on the other hand, must regroup and strategize going forward, as this defeat will challenge their standing within the league as they aim to climb from near the bottom of the table. Both teams will carefully analyze this match to inform their tactics for upcoming games.
The floodlight inauguration and the exhilarating match result have undeniably set the tone for the Regionalliga season. With exciting matches anticipated, fans will undoubtedly be keeping their eyes on both teams as they navigate through the challenges of 2025.