SV Elversberg want to drive the team’s development forward 

After successfully reaching the second round of the DFB cup, SV Elversberg are now turning their attentions back to the 2. Bundesliga. Their next game is on Friday 23 August: coach Horst Steffen’s team are playing away against Karlsruher SC. The starting whistle is at 6:30 p.m. at BBBank Wildpark. SVE have also made a move on the transfer market.  

Coach Horst Steffen is expecting a challenging away match, referencing Karlsruher SC’s strong second half of last season, during which KSC were the second-best team behind champion promoted team St. Pauli. ‘I think this second half of the season speaks volumes, and it’s also how Karlsruhe have started the new season’, SVE’s coach emphasises. ‘They are a strong team, they are consistent and powerful, especially at home. Against Karlsruhe, we can expect to face both huge quality and the many elements that make up a mature second-division team. We will need to work hard and force them to make mistakes in order to shape the result how we want it.’ 

Elversberg’s week of preparation was somewhat shortened by their late return from Hildesheim on Monday night, but the team is currently fit and almost finished with training. Only Frederik Jäkel, who is in rehab, and new addition Tom Zimmerschied, who is suffering from back problems, have not been joining the team on the training pitch. ‘It feels great, as virtually everyone is here and we have also become more complete. The boys have been fresh and motivated in their training’, according to Horst Steffen.  

Now we want to perform well and keep up against Karlsruhe on Friday. We are making sure to continue improving our performance and encouraging our development. 

There have also been other developments on the transfer market. SVE struck three times during the week. The first was Muhammed Damar, a 20 year old on loan to Saarland from TSG Hoffenheim for this season.  

The Berlin native began his football career in the youth sections of clubs such as 1. FC Schöneberg, Hertha 03 Zehlendorf and Hertha BSC. As an U17 player, he ultimately left his home city and moved to Eintracht Frankfurt’s training centre, where he spent two years playing in the B and A Junior Bundesliga leagues. TSG Hoffenheim secured the services of this talented national junior player in the summer of 2022. Damar was initially signed for the U23s, but was also integrated into the professional squad at the same time. During the 2022/2023 season, this central and offensive midfielder demonstrated his skills in both the Regionalliga Südwest and the 1. Bundesliga. He played 20 games and was involved in 16 goals in the Regionalliga Südwest. He made six Bundesliga appearances. To gain greater high-level game experience, last season the then 20 year old moved to 2. Bundesliga team Hannover 96 on loan. Damar has also already gained experience on an international stage: last year he played eleven national games for the German national junior team for U 18 to U20, scoring seven goals. ‘Muhammed Damar is a smart player, but also has strong technique and a good ability to read the game. His potential and aptitude will allow him to perform at a high level for the long term’, as SVE’s sports director Ole Book approvingly said about the young player. Damar himself added: ‘Many young players have taken the next step at SV Elversberg in the past, and that is my goal as well. I am looking forward to the opportunity to drive my development forward here, as well as to contest the upcoming season with a great team. I will do my utmost to ensure that we have a positive year together.’ 

Another offensive player was also signed in the form of Lukas Petkov. The 23-year-old player, who can be deployed in the wings as well as the offensive midfield and front, has arrived from Bundesliga team FC Augsburg on a three-year contract until the summer of 2027. It has been agreed that the terms of the transfer will be kept confidential. 

Petkov, originally from Friedberg, came up through all of the FCA teams and played regularly in the A and B Junior Bundesliga, where he was involved in 28 goals across 72 games. He celebrated his Bundesliga debut at the end of the 2020/2021 season with a game against FC Bayern München. Petkov received a professional contract for the 2021/2022 season and was loaned to 3. Liga team SC Verl, where he achieved twelve goals and five assists in 42 official matches. After half a year at FCA in the 2022/2023 season, in the winter Petkov was loaned to SpVgg Greuther Fürth, for whom he played 44 second-division games in a year and a half. 

‘By signing Lukas Petkov, we have gained a young, dynamic offensive player for our team who we also value for his versatility. We are looking forward to a long, promising collaboration’, SVE‘s sports director Ole Book said. Petkov himself added: ‘How SVE has developed recently is impressive. I remember many games from last season when the players impressed and played bold football, even as a promoted team. I want to do what I can to keep things this way, and I look forward to attacking alongside the team.’ 

The final addition is also to the offensive lineup: Tom Zimmerschied has moved from Dynamo Dresden to SVE. The 25 year old, who can play on both wings, has signed a three-year contract with SV Elversberg until the summer of 2027. It has been agreed that the terms of the transfer will be kept confidential. 

Zimmerschied, born in Koblenz, initially made his way up through the FC Bayern München training centre and then played with SpVgg Unterhaching up to U19 level. In 2017 he transferred to Regionalliga team VfR Garching, playing 65 games in three years. Then came a season with Austrian second-division team FC Dornbirn, where he was involved in 14 goals across 29 official games. He returned to Germany in the summer of 2021 and spent two years playing for Halleschen FC in the 3. Liga, where he was one of the club’s top scorers and achieved twelve goals and five assists in 47 games. In the 2023/2024 season he moved to SG Dynamo Dresden, where he scored five goals and managed twelve assists in 37 league games. Zimmerschied has gained a total of 17 goals and 17 assists in 84 games in the 3. Liga. 

‘Tom Zimmerschied has impressed with consistently strong performances in recent years and has proven his ability to reach the opposing team’s goal time and again. His enthusiasm and technique will further enliven our offensive play in the wings’, SVE‘s sports director Ole Book explained. Zimmerschied himself added: ‘I recently had a great discussion with the club officials and am looking forward to playing with the team and for SVE in the 2. Bundesliga. It will be an exciting challenge, but I am sure that our time together here will be very positive.’ Ideally starting with a win in Karlsruhe – without Zimmerschied, but with the other two new arrivals.