2. Bundesliga 23/24 Season Preview: SV Elversberg

Elversberg enters uncharted territory as the club makes its first foray into the 2. Bundesliga. They’ve reached this point on their journey in large part to an impressive first campaign in the 3. Liga, one in which they were crowned champions at the first time of asking.

During their last campaign, they caused one of the biggest upsets in the DFB Pokal when they dispatched heavily fancied Bayer Leverkusen in the first round. 22 3. Liga victories from 38 games which included a near unbeatable stretch at the Waldstadion an der Kaiserlinde.

Led by former Germany U21 international Horst Steffen, a midfielder by trade who played over 200 appearances in the Bundesliga for Borussia Mönchengladbach, KFC Uerdingen and MSV Duisburg. Now, in his sixth season with Elversberg, Steffen’s ambition to reach the Bundesliga is matched by the clubs.

The 2. Bundesliga is another step on their ambitious road to reaching the Bundesliga, a story quite similar to Hoffenheim more than a decade ago. Rest assured, Elversberg is paving their own trial to top tier glory.

Let’s see how Elversberg gets on in the 2. Bundesliga?

Team Details

Stadion (Capacity): Waldstadion an der Kaiserlinde (10,000)

Kit manufacturer: Nike

Nicknames: N/A

Coach: Horst Steffen

Captain: Kevin Conrad

Signings & Departures

Signings: Joseph Boyamba (1860 München), Dominik Martinović (Waldhof Mannheim), Paul Stock (TSV Steinbach), Arne Sicker (SV Sandhuausen), Tim Boss (1. FC Magdeburg)

Departures: Ben Bobzien (1. FSV Mainz 05, end of loan), Valdrin Mustafa (Viktoria Köln), Nick Woltemade (Werder Bremen, end of loan), Sinan Tekerci (Stuttgarter Kickers), Luca Menke (without club), Anton Ziegler (SF Köllerbach), Laurin von Piechowski (without club), Tobias Mißner (SV Meppen), Eros Dacoj (SV Rödinghausen), Daniel Pantschenko (Union Titus Petange)

The summer window for Elversberg has been rather quiet for a newly promoted side, but perhaps it’s a strong indicator to the strength of the established squad.

Regarding the departures. Nick Woltemade who was a stand out for Elversberg in their promotion season scoring 10 goals and nine assists. But, after an impressive campaign, it was always going to be difficult to keep him. Especially with parent club Werder Bremen keen to integrate him into their plans for this season.

To replace his goal-scoring output, they will be hoping Dominik Martinović will be able to partner top tier striker Luca Schnellbacher. Martinović comes from 3. Liga side Waldhof Mannheim, who produced three consistent seasons managing more than 10 goals in each campaign. It’s an excellent opportunity for Martinović to showcase his quality in the 2. Bundesliga.

Tim Boss is a familiar name to most in the 2. Bundesliga with stints at Dynamo Dresden, Wehen Wiesbaden and recently Magdeburg. He offers experience at this level and will provide good competition to the established number one Nicolas Kristof and Frank Lehmann.

Potential setup

If we can take what Elversberg did last season, it’s stability at the back, strong goalkeeping and attractive transitions leading to team that managed 80 league last seasons. Not to say, that Elversberg will cake walk the 2. Bundesliga, but with a largely unchanged squad brings familiarity to the way Steffen sets his team up.

We’ve touched on the goalkeeping depth in the previous section and it would be a surprise if Kristof, who, started 37 games last isn’t in goal against Hannover on matchday one. Defence will be much of the same, Marcel Correia is someone who possess plenty of 2. Bundesliga experience with Kaiserslautern, Eintracht Braunschweig and Jahn Regensburg. That will be invaluable for Elversberg. Club captain Kevin Conrad would be an option if available, however, Carlo Sickinger acquitted himself well when called upon.

The midfield is exciting and there are two players in particular who many clubs should keep on eye during this season. In the heart of centre, 23-year-old Semih Sahin who featured in 30 games last season. Completing 954 passes, winning 53.2% of tackles and created 24 chances for Elversberg.

The other is Jannik Rochelt. Rochelt joined from Ulm where he didn’t exactly set the Regionalliga Südwest statistically with only three goals and eight assists in two season. But under Steffen, Rochelt was transformed who into an excellent attacking threat. Providing 12 goals and 15 assists in an electric season. To put in perspective how good Rochelt was, only Ahmet Arslan from Dynamo Dresden was involved in more goals last season.

Fan Perspective

With Elversberg’s first foray into the 2. Bundesliga, there is much excitement surrounding the fanbase. I spoke to Deniz (@EinKinderspiel) about the new season.

MK: What are your hopes for the upcoming season?

Deniz: This year it's all about staying in the 2nd Bundesliga. To expect anything else would be absolutely insane.

MK: Which summer signing are you most looking forward to seeing play?

Deniz: Dominik Martinovic. As centre-forward, a lot will depend on him. Trained at VFB Stuttgart and FC Bayern Munich, he seems to have a lot of potential

MK: Who is one player from SV Elversberg fans of the league should keep an eye on?

Deniz: A difficult decision. I would bet on Robin Fellhauer and Jannik Rochelt. Both have the skills to do something special this year.

MK: How would you describe Elversberg’s footballing identity?

Deniz: SV Elversberg stands for attractive, offensive football. This is more than just a team. It's a club for the whole family, a whole region.

MK: Fans should go to the Waldstadion an der Kaiserlinde this season because?

Deniz: Something big is happening here. Attractive football to enjoy. The opportunity to be part of something that will affect the german football.

MK: Where do you think SV Elversberg will finish this season?

Deniz: I am firmly convinced that we will have nothing to do with relegation. I'm assuming 9th place.

Predictions

Elversberg are an enigma, it’s quite rare to see a team gain promotion with squad which possesses limited 2. Bundesliga experience. Perhaps that is a benefit, teams may underestimate what Elversburg can offer and fall victim to the trap set by Steffen and co.

In writing these previews, I’ve had a difficult time figuring out where Elversberg could place. The floor is relegation, and making the 2. Bundesliga a temporary stay. Yet, they could easily finish within the mid-table. As we saw last season, all three promoted sides survived with two being Kaiserslautern and Magdeburg producing strong campaigns.

With the way Elversberg likes to play, one hopes that don’t compromise their footballing approach in the clubs first crack at 2. Bundesliga football.