ROT WEIß ERFURT (Steigerwaldstadion)

3.LIGA, ROT WEIß ERFURT 0-3 HALLESCHER, ATTENDANCE: 8,168

The third tier of German football kicked off today so I decided to leave Dresden behind and take the 2 hour train journey across to Erfurt.

Rot Weiß Erfurt (RWE) are a mainstay of the 3.Liga, having been founder members in 2008. Today they were hosting Hallescher FC in the season opener, as they looked to improve on last season's 8th place finish.

Like a majority of old East German clubs, RWE are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year having been founded in 1966 when, like a host of other clubs, the football department became a separate from the more general sports clubs. The origins of the club though can be traced back to the 1880's and in 1900 Sport Club Erfurt were founder members of the German Football Association. The club won their league title in 1909, advancing to the national semi-finals before losing 9-1 to eventual winners Phönix Karlsruhe.

The two clubs of SC Turbine Erfurt and BSG Optima Erfurt were merged in 1966 to form RWE and competed in the old East German Oberliga until reunification in 1991 when a 3rd placed finish meant they were placed in Bundesliga 2 and also qualified for the UEFA Cup, where they eventually lost to Ajax in round two. This meant they were the last team to represent East Germany on a European stage.

The Steigerwaldstadion, which was opened in 1931, has undergone extensive redevelopment in the past year or so with the old terracing replaced by a modern seated stand, with blocks of terracing at each end for the home and away fans. Walking around the ground there is still evidence of construction work. The "new" stadium is due to be officially inaugurated with a friendly against Mainz in two weeks time.

This afternoon's game turned out to be a routine away win for Hallescher. Once RWE fell behind to an early Benjamin Pintol goal, who tapped in from close range after three minutes, they were always struggling to get back in the game as the vistors were happy to play the counter attacking game.

Hallescher almost doubled their lead before the break but a Martin Röser free kick crashed against the bar. RWE came out fired up in the second half but, despite their possession, they did not trouble the visitors goal.

Hallescher made it 2-0 after 66 minutes through Toni Lindenhahn before substitute André Wallenborn wrapped up the three points with seven minutes left.