German 2. Bundesliga clubs begin preseason with test matches

2. Bundesliga preseason test matches new signings team integration

Energie Cottbus, newly promoted to the 2. Bundesliga, started its preseason camp with mixed results: a 2‑4 loss to Mladá Boleslav, a 1‑1 draw with Altglienicke, and a 3‑1 win for Hertha’s second team. Coach Claus‑Dieter Wollitz noted a lack of cohesion and highlighted the need for key players such as King Manu, Lukas Michelbrink, Jonas Pelivan and Erik Engelhardt to be fully fit. Captain Axel Borgmann is still recovering from a groin injury and Tolcay Cigerci remains unavailable, adding to the integration challenge for several new signings.

Eintracht Braunschweig also used the summer break to evaluate ten recent arrivals. Test matches produced a 7‑0 win over BTSV, a narrow 2‑1 victory against TSV Havelse and a 1‑1 draw with FC Blau‑Weiß Linz. Newcomers Yann Sturm and Samuele Di Benedetto stressed the need for improved fitness, tactical discipline and consistent goal‑scoring as the club prepares for its league opener on 8 August.