The match between SG Sonnenhof Großaspach and the Stuttgarter Kickers had everything you expect from a local derby: emotion, intensity, loud support, and moments that shifted the energy of the entire stadium. I was there to photograph the game, and from the first minute it was clear that this wasn’t just another fixture on the Regionalliga Südwest schedule.
The stands were filled with 4,850 spectators, and the visiting supporters from Stuttgart made their presence known early. Their block was loud, energetic, and constantly pushing their team forward. Chants echoed across the stadium, and for long stretches it felt as if both fanbases were competing just as much as the players on the pitch. The atmosphere was fantastic — tense at times, but always vibrant, exactly what makes derby football special.
Großaspach, however, started the match with more intensity on the ball. Their early pressure paid off in the 11th minute, when Mert Tasdelen fired a low shot from around 20 meters into the bottom corner, giving the home side a strong opening advantage.
The momentum shifted after the goal, and Stuttgart gradually took over more possession. Their persistence was rewarded in the 24th minute when a defensive mistake by Großaspach opened the door for Flamur Berisha, who reacted quickest and pushed the ball into the empty net to equalize. From that point on, the game turned noticeably faster and more physical. High balls, duels in midfield, and quick counterattacks defined the next phase, with the Kickers looking closer to taking the lead.
But Großaspach struck again at the perfect moment. Just before halftime, Marius Kunde broke through on the wing and delivered a precise ball into the box, where Loris Maier was positioned exactly right to head the ball in for 2:1. The timing couldn’t have been better, and the home crowd erupted once more.
The second half brought the biggest turning point of the match: Tasdelen, already booked, committed a foul on the left flank. The referee immediately showed him a second yellow card. Großaspach had to play almost the entire half with only ten men. From there, the game changed completely. The hosts defended deep, stayed compact, and focused purely on discipline and tactical awareness. The Kickers pushed hard, but Großaspach’s defensive effort absorbed most attacks before they became dangerous.
Then came the moment that sealed the match. In the 80th minute, after a strong set-up by Elias Rahn, Loris Maier remained composed and lifted the ball into the far corner for 3:1. The stadium erupted for the third time — a mix of relief, celebration, and disbelief that Großaspach managed to score again despite being a man down.
