WSV got back on track in a somewhat fortunate win in a matchup of two ex-Bundesliga squads. Oberhausen was by no means the worse team, so Wuppertal can thank the heavens that they keep all the points. Some ex-WSV men, Ken Asaeda, Peter Nettekoven and Mike Terranova showed up in RWO colors…

Thinsg started out brightly enough, with Robert Flessers taking a ball in midfield, advancing and then blasting a long ball into the net. However RWO began to dominate and it took saves by Semmler to keep the lead. When the equalizer finally came, it was well deserved. The match was a bit more equal, but the guests still had the better chances. So a draw at half-time favored WSV..
In the second half, Wuppertal looked a bit better. It almost started with a bang, but a brilliant save 11 seconds into the half from Semmler off Sindi saved WSV’s ass. Then a few minutes later, the usual counterattack, Landers crosses, there’s Knappmann…ball int he net. Oberhausen reacted with furious attacks, hitting the post. But again fortune was with WSV. A freekick from about 40 meters was floated in by Landers. The Oberhausen keeper (the ex-WSV man) seemingly misjudged it as a cross and it flew over his head for a goal. This proved to be the decider. Oberhausen continued to attack, but in desperation. This opened up several opportunities for WSV, which they managed to disgracefully blow. But in the end it was a Wuppertal victory, desperately needed after the many crap results.

With the win, WSV remains 7th with 25 points in the Regionalliga West after 15 matches, 7 points off the pace of leaders FC Viktoria Köln. Oberhausen remains 10th with 19 points.

Wuppertaler SV 	 - 	Rot-Weiß Oberhausen	 3:1 (1:1)

1:0 Fleßers (4.) 	 
1:1 Sindi (29.) 
2:1 Knappmann (48.) 	  
3:1 Landers (56.) 

Attendance: 1,441 Stadion-Am-Zoo (Wuppertal)

WUPPERTAL:
Semmler - 
Neppe, Haas, Reichert, Herzenbruch - 
Fleßers, Abel, Moosmayer       - 
Landers, Knappmann, Cornelius  
Subs:
Boztepe (32., Abel)
Wassinger (73., Cornelius)
Meier (77., Moosmayer)	  
Trainer: Bruns

OBERHAUSEN:
Nettekoven - 
Tyler, Hötte, Nowak, Sturm - 
Sindi, Grumann, Asaeda, R. Schneider - 
Talarski, Mützel
Subs:	
Terranova (79., Sindi)	 
Trainer: Kunkel

Another crap WSV performance. This is beginning to be a broken record. Well, on the plus side, I can pretty much just copy last week’s entry, saving me time.

WSV came out flat, proceeded to suck and gets their ass kicked. Disgraceful. Nothing else worth mentioning.

Wuppertaler SV    .   Borussia M'gladbach II    0:2 (0:1)

 	         0:1 Dams (37.) 
  	         0:2 Dertwinkel (90.)
 
Attendance: 1,195 {Stadion Am Zoo, Wuppertal)

WUPPERTAL:

Semmler - 
Neppe, Wiwerink, Haas, Moosmayer - 
Reichert, Fleßers, Landers, Boztepe, Quotschalla - 
Knappmann
Subs:
Wassinger (69., Boztepe) 
Abel (74., Reichert)
Trainer: Bruns

M'GLADBACH II:

Kompalla - 
M. Zimmermann    , Dams     , Stang , Janeczek - 
C. Lenz , Korb , Bastürk , Bieler       - 
Pisano , Platzek  
Subs: 
Dertwinkel (70., Platzek)
C. Zimmermann  (86., Bieler)
Gross (90., M. Zimmermann) 	
Trainer: Demandt

Another crappy result for WSV, this time at Duisburg’s B squad. Things started off horribly, as Tom Moosmayer’s “hospital pass” allowed Kastrato a freebie. WSV was still in shock and they were down 2-0. They did start the comeback, but despite dominating, were always in chaos on Duisburg counterattacks. It looked grim and another disgraceful defeat after the Zebras were again up two in an hour. But luckily Wuppertal stormed back, and once again, a late header by Christian Knappmann saved a point. Disappointing, because we needed the win, but I guess this one is a point saved.

So WSV slumps to 5th, 6 points behind leaders Viktoria Köln. Ironically, WSV’s next match is a firendly against…MSV Duisburg’s 2.Liga squad…

MSV Duisburg II	   -   Wuppertaler SV   3:3 (2:1)

1:0 Kastrati (4.) 	  
2:0 Taskin (10.) 	  
2:1 Landers (19.) 
3:1 Reinert (64.) 	 
3:2 Quotschalla (66.) 
3:3 Knappmann (80.) 

Attendance: 567,  Westender Strasse (Duisburg)

DUISBURG II:
Mar. Lenz - 
Reinert, M'Bengue, Hennen, Abdulla    - 
T. Öztürk, Taskin     - 
Mandiangu, Kunt, Jevtic     - 
Kastrati 
Subs:
Gjasula (71., Abdulla)
Somuah (77., Kastrati)
Kalski (81., Mandiangu)	      
Trainer: Wölpper

WUPPERTAL:
Semmler    - 
Neppe, Schlieter, Wiwerink, Moosmayer - 
Landers, Reichert, Fleßers, Boztepe - 
Quotschalla, Knappmann       
Subs:
Herzenbruch (46., Reichert)
Wassinger (67., Quotschalla)
Meier (67., Fleßers)	
Trainer: Bruns

OK, so midweek WSV had a disgraceful performance against a crap team and got owned.
I was thinking, this would have been a good time if the DFB had changed it to the ancient Aztec game of ollama, which was basically like soccer, except you had to kick the ball through a ring high up on a wall. Sounds lame, but it had one redeeming quality – the losing team was usually put to death. Such was my state of mind, and obviously most WSV fans, as less than 2,500 showed up for the top of table clash with Viktoria Köln…

I guess that’s too bad, because it turned out to be quite a fine match, worthy of a top clash. WSV was still half asleep when Viktoria gave them the rude awakening, when Müller caught Semmler on the wrong foot. However, WSV was only momentarily stunned, and started to assert control of the game. Viktoria was dangerous on the counterattacks, but was continually pushed back. In the 2nd half, the pressure continued, and WSV got more dominant. A long blast from Boztepe was knocked down, but Flessers put home the rebound for the long deserved equalizer after 60 minutes. Now WSV took complete control and pressed for the win. But as usual with Wuppertal, they then ruined everything and did something stupid, As Schleiter headed the ball in his own net after a lame cross. It looked like a deflating loss, but in the injury extension, WSV marksmann Christian Knappmann headed in from a corner to at least save WSV’s ass. It was his 8th, and he leads the Regionalliga once again.

Overall a fine game, especially by WSV. But Wuppertal lacks the killer instinct, as they should have won this one. Viktoria remains in 1st, WSV in 4th, 3 points down.

Wuppertaler SV     - 	FC Viktoria Köln    2:2 (0:1)
	
  	          0:1 D. Müller (7.) 
                  1:1 Fleßers (60.) 	 
  	          1:2 Schlieter (88., own goal) 
                  2:2 Knappmann (90. + 1) 

Attendance: 2,471 (Stadion Am Zoo, Wuppertal)

WUPPERTAL:
Semmler - 
Neppe, Schlieter , Wiwerink , Moosmayer - 
Reichert, Fleßers     - 
Landers, Boztepe, Quotschalla - 
Knappmann    

Subs:

El Hammouchi (68., Neppe)
Meier (78., Reichert)
Wassinger (81., Boztepe)

Trainer: Bruns

Viktoria Köln:
Poremba - 
Cozza, Propheter, Kukielka, Eichmeier    - 
Schultens, Voigt    - 
Schlösser, Wunderlich, D. Müller        - 
Bouhaddouz

Subs:

Glowacz (25., Eichmeier)
Candan (67., Schlösser)
Federico (78., D. Müller)

Trainer: Scholz

An absolutely desolate, disgraceful performance as 3rd place Wuppertal crash 0-4 at SC Wiedenbrück.
Maybe I’ll write about it, but I’m too pissed off…

A hard fought win that keeps Wuppertal in 3rd place in the Regionalliga West. The Schalke U23 side came out strong and had the early lead, but Knappmann once again got WSV going. His diving header gave Wuppertal the lead, and they were able to build things out a little after the restart. Despite Schalke converting a penalty, it was the home side that pressed harder and were closer to another score. Schalke’s GK looked in fine form as he prevented another WSV goal. Overall, a decent performance.

Wuppertaler SV     - 	FC Schalke 04 II     2:1 (1:0)
	
                  1:0 Knappmann (30.) 	  
                  2:0 Landers (49.) 	 
                  2:1 Langlitz (64., Elfmeter) 

Attendance: 1,1610, Stadion Am Zoo

WUPPERTAL:

Semmler - 
Schumacher, Schlieter, Wiwerink, El Hammouchi    - 
Reichert - 
Landers, Boztepe, Moosmayer, Quotschalla - 
Knappmann       

Subs:

Abel (72., Boztepe)
Wassinger (78., Knappmann)
Meier (88., Landers)	

Trainer: Bruns

SCHALKE II:

Oswald - 
Langlitz, Sabah, Uaferro , Hertner    -
Moritz, Erdmann    - 
Klingenburg, Torres, Caillas - 
Türpitz  

Subs:

Ernst(46., Klingenburg)
Max (58., Türpitz)
Pas. Schmidt(82., Hertner)

Trainer: Trares

Wuppertal travelled to the Essen ghetto of Kray for a critical road match.

Defender Marco Neppe, who had previously played for WSV from 2007-2010, returned and was immediately inserted into the starting lineup. Christian Knappmann was once again raring to go, on the 3rd minute, his header beat the Kray keeper, but was stopped by the post. Another close shot a few minutes later on a pass from Landers. WSV looked like it was going to roll over Kray easily. However despite continued pressure and Wuppertal chances, the match went scoreless into halftime.

WSV continued their assault, and after being denied a penalty, took the lead. Boztepe crossed from the left, Knappmann headed home. 6th goal in 6 games, looks like he’s keeping last year’s 30 goal mark in view. WSV continued to dominate the match, creating several more chances, but were unable to get another goal. It turned out OK however, since Kray basically generated zilch of their own.

Not a great win, since they should have scored at least a half-dozen. But it’s a win…

FC Kray	    - 	Wuppertaler SV     0:1 (0:0)

0:1  Knappmann (54.)

Attendance: 1,252 Uhlenkrug, Essen

KRAY:
O. Allouche - 
Kretschmar, Knieper, Zweck    - 
Kehrmann, Sokhan Sanj, Karagülmez, Milaszewski    - 
Mun, Elouriachi - 
Ph. Schmidt
Subs:
M. Walter (65., Mun)
Nimptsch (73., Milaszewski)	
I. Ketsatis (85., Kretschmar)

Trainer: Wißel

WUPPERTAL:
Semmler - 
Neppe, Reichert, Wiwerink, El Hammouchi - 
Fleßers, Moosmayer    - 
Landers, Boztepe - 
Quotschalla, Knappmann      
Subs:
Wassinger (73., Quotschalla)
Meier (88., Knappmann)
Schlieter (90., Reichert)

Trainer: Bruns

A lame result for Wuppertal in the local derby with Velbert. WSV dominated from start to finish, got the dream start, but basically dicked around and instead of finishing off the Velberters, got kicked in the nuts and lost two points. What a disgrace!

Even though Velbert is less than 10 miles away from Wuppertal (I remember going there to play with ASV Wuppertal, and I think it took me less than it took to go to the Zoo Stadion…), only some 800 WSV fans made the trip. And of course you would think that the “locals” would be overflowing to see the mighty WSV. No dice, although who knows, perhaps a decent crowd by Velbert standards.

This was actually what you might call a “make-down” (as opposed to make up). Supposedly the two sides were to meet in Round 18, but the match was moved up since there was the “open” weekend.

Things started reasonably enough. New signing Mehmet Boztepe punted a long ball that Christian Knappmann ran under and cooly slotted past GK Manuel Lenz. 0-1 for WSV and it looked like the route was on. In the 13th minute Boztepe had a hard shot saved brilliantly by Lenz, who certainly rose to the occasion on a busy afternoon. WSV continued to press for the second, but a combination of Lenz, poor marksmanship and non-calls on penalty suspect fouls kept the score even.

In the 2nd half, it was more of the same, but WSV continued to waste chances. So the punishment was soon to come. A Velbert counterattack, Jeffrey Tumanan crossed to Onucka, and his header gave Semmler no chance. WSV reacted with furious assaults against the Velbert goal, but got nothing.
The Wuppertalers left the field with hanging heads, as they didn’t get a point, they lost two. WSV remains in 5th place, but could have closed the gap against a side that is still looking for their first win.

SSVg Velbert   -   Wuppertaler SV	1:1 (0:1)
	
  	      0:1 Knappmann (2.) 
              1:1 Onucka (68.) 

Attendance: 1,632  Christopeit-Sport-Arena (Velbert)

VELBERT:
Lenz - 
Nachtigall, Schweer , Pappas    , Mondello - 
Kneifel    , Zent    - 
Ferati , Tumanan    , Mikolajczak    - 
Onucka  
  
Subs:
Janas (20., Zent)
D. Yilmaz (46., Kneifel)
Mühlhause (80., Mikolajczak)
	
Trainer: Leese

WUPPERTAL:
Semmler - 
Schumacher, Reichert, Wiwerink, Moosmayer - 
Fleßers, El Hammouchi - 
Quotschalla, Boztepe, Landers - 
Knappmann 
   
Subs:
Schlieter (33., Reichert) 
Wassinger (64., Boztepe) 
Cornelius (80., Quotschalla)

Trainer: Bruns

Actually, the most important news is that 30 goal man Christian Knappmann did not move in the transfer window. 3.Liga side Borussia Dortmund II supposedly offered some 100,000 euros for the WSV goalgetter, but Knappmann stays with WSV for the moment. (Of course, despite being reported by several media sources, it doesn’t make sense. Dortmund II sucks and needs goal scoring, but why would they sign a 31 year old, when they could just dump some bench warmer from the A squad? Of course, for WSV, it’s huge, since Knappmann’s presence is huge.) Of course, watching the bald headed striker run out was a relief for the WSV fans, and Knappmann probably was the best player of the match.

As for the match, it was a tricky one, as it always is playing the Bundesliga B squads. Wuppertal was dominant in the 1st half, then fell asleep in the second. However, after the Junior Aspirins equalized, WSV got back on top as Wiwerwink headed in a corner from Moosmayer.

Overall, not very impressive, but a “workman-like” win, grinding out the points, which should keep Wuppertal in 4th place in the Regionalliga West and within striking distance of the pace setters.

Wuppertaler SV 	 -   Bayer Leverkusen II  2:1 (1:0)

Attendance: 1,531 (Stadion-Am-Zoo)

1:0 Knappmann (31., penalty) 	  
1:1 Kohr (50.) 
2:1 Wiwerink (53.) 


Semmler - 
Schumacher, Reichert, Wiwerink, Moosmayer - 
Fleßers    - 
Landers, Abel, Wassinger    - 
Quotschalla, Knappmann       

Subs:
Boztepe  (46., Wassinger)
Meier (69., Abel)
Cornelius (74., Quotschalla)
		
Trainer: Bruns


LEVERKUSEN II:
Lomb - 
Casper, Mandt, Haitz, Riedel - 
Zenga, Kohr        - 
Aydin, Pusch    - 
Steffen, Siefkes      

Subs:
Hirsch(46., Aydin)
Dürholtz (46., Pusch)
Al Ghaddioui (79., Siefkes)

Trainer: Minge

Wuppertal continued their revival in the Regionalliga West, as they came away with a ruthless 3-0 away win at VfB Hüls. It wasn’t easy, but it was just the type of match a non-focused club would have lost last season. Interestingly enough, coach Bruns left 30 goal scorer Christian Knappmann out of the starting 11, not sure about that decision.

The hosts started decently, but WSV’s defense was prepared. WSV started getting stronger, and after 20 minutes, they seized the lead. Moosmayer floated in a freekick, and Andre Wiwerink out-jumped everyone to head home. The hosts reacted with new vigor, and WSV hardly created any more chances in the half. Instead, GK Christian Semmler had several excellent saves tp preserve the lead.

In the 2nd half, Hüls continued to attack furiously. The equalizer seemed inevitable. Moosmayer cleared off the line, Semmler pushed a wicked shot off the crossbar, and Mutluer managed to miss an open net from 2 yards. Luck seemed to hold, and then on a breakout, Marcel Landers (celebrating his birthday) blasted a rocket home to up the WSV lead. This was the setup that led to the knockout a few minutes later. Landers corner, Moosmayer heads on, and Knappman nods it in. Game-set-match.

Not a great performance, as certainly the hosts might have gotten something out of this. But a cold-blooded, solid performance by WSV to bring home the bacon. They needed the win, since leaders Viktoria Köln continued their perfect start, 5 for 5. The Regionalliga is the only thing happening for WSV, as the squad was eliminated in the regional Cup against FC Remscheid on Tuesday (0-1), and therefore can’t qualify for the DFB Cup next season.

VfB Hüls   - 	Wuppertaler SV    0:3 (0:1)
	
 	0:1 Wiwerink (20.)
  	0:2 Landers (63.)
  	0:3 Knappmann (74.)
 
Attendance: 700, Badeweiherstadion

VfB Hüls:

Rantzow - 
Jasmund, Schlüter, Weßendorf, Schurig - 
D. Piorunek, Köse    - 
Vennemann, Mutluer, Okumak - 
Erwig

Subs:
Diericks (55., Weßendorf)
Pavlovic (55., Köse)
Kyei (71., Vennemann)

Trainer: Schmidt

WUPPERTAL:

Semmler - 
El Hammouchi, Reichert, Wiwerink, Moosmayer - 
Fleßers, Meier    - 
Landers, Abel, Wassinger    - 
Quotschalla      

Subs:
Knappmann (46., Quotschalla)
Cornelius (66., Wassinger)
Wolf (82., Abel)

Trainer: Bruns