SV Elversberg will face Racing Strasbourg on August 4 at 18:00 in Hagenau, France – the first high‑profile friendly of the pre‑season. Coach Vincent Wagner (40) uses the match to lock in form after the 3‑0 win over Preußen Münster on May 17.

Why is the game against Racing important?

Racing Strasbourg, eliminated in the Conference League semi‑finals, offers a demanding level. The link between the French top‑flight side and Saarbrücken supervisory board chairman Daniel Hager (54) makes the encounter especially intriguing. Hager’s company Hager Group has been Racing’s main partner since 2017 and holds a sponsorship deal until 2027. For SVE this means not only sporting but also commercial relevance.

How does the current season record look?

SV Elversberg currently sits 2nd in the 2. Bundesliga with 62 points from 34 games (18 wins, 8 draws, 8 losses) and a recent form of WLWDW. The attack has already netted 64 goals while the defence has conceded 39 (‑+25 goal difference). The last five matches ended with three wins followed by two defeats – a slight bounce back after a 3‑0 loss to FC St. Pauli in April.

Which other friendlies are scheduled?

After the clash with Racing, the squad travels to Rust for an away friendly against Swiss champions FC Thun on July 11 – the next official fixture. Additional dates: Viktoria Köln on July 17/18 in Überherrn, NEC Nijmegen on July 25 in Weurt and a home game versus FC Lorient on August 15. These internationals aim to boost tactical flexibility and conditioning before the season starts.

What does this mean for the title race?

With an 8‑point gap to leaders FC Schalke 04, the promotion chase remains open. The test against Racing offers a chance to sharpen the attacking play – a factor that could prove decisive in the weeks ahead. Wagner stresses the squad will use the occasion to assess both defensive solidity and offensive variety.

The club hopes the match will have impact beyond sport. The close tie to Hager could open further French contacts, enhancing SV Elversberg’s visibility on a European stage.

What’s next?

Following the away game in Hagenau, the team faces FC Thun on July 11 – the final friendly before the season opener on July 27. Fans can expect an intensive training camp that will keep the squad in peak condition.