Viktoria Köln snap Stuttgart’s streak for first season win
On Sonntagabend, 16 August 2026, at 21:58 Uhr, Viktoria Köln broke their Auftaktpleite against Regensburg by securing their first Saisonsieg in the 3. Liga, beating VfB Stuttgart II 3‑1 to claim three Punkte. The victory came after a 2‑5 loss in the opening match and was highlighted by an Eigentor from Maximilian Herwerth.
After the opening defeat at the Auftaktspiel against Jahn Regensburg, Marian Wilhelm was forced to reshuffle his starting eleven after Pascal Fallmann suffered an Außenbandriss without any opponent contact. Consequently, newcomer Alexander Prokopenko, signed from FC Carl Zeiss Jena, started for Köln. The Auftakt set the tone for a challenging weekend.
First half drama
Stuttgarts Maximilian Herwerth mis‑hit his own net at 45.+1, delivering an Eigentor that gave Köln the early Tor. Stuttgart responded quickly, and Oliver Rölke restored parity for the hosts at 50 minutes, making the score 1‑1. The half ended level, with both sides having created chances.
In the second half, Alexander Prokopenko produced a Traumtor at 53 minutes, followed by David Otto’s finish at 61 minutes, sealing a 3‑1 victory for Köln. Stuttgart’s Yanik Spalt cleared a dangerous cross from Jarzinho Malanga, while Niklas Castelle’s attempt from five metres was saved by Köln keeper Arne Schulz. Köln registered eight shots compared with Stuttgart’s single attempt, underscoring their dominance.
Upcoming cup and league fixtures
Am kommenden Samstag, Köln will host 1. FC Nürnberg in the first round of the DFB‑Pokal at 15:30. Four days later, they travel to Union Schaffhausen for the Mittelrheinpokal on 26 August at 18:30, before meeting Preußen Münster in the NRW‑Duel on 30 August at 19:30. Ein match, Beim DFB‑Pokal, and Eine fixture in the Mittelrheinpokal round are now on the calendar.
Die result adds three Punkte to Viktoria Köln’s tally in the 3. Liga, moving them up the table after the initial setback. Nach this result, the club looks to build momentum in the coming weeks, aiming to improve their standing in the Spiel.