Werder Bremen II Edge Utrecht Youth in Preseason Friendly

FC Utrecht Youth 1–2 Werder Bremen II
International Club Friendly | July 3, 2026

Werder Bremen’s reserve side secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over FC Utrecht Youth in a closely contested friendly at Sportcomplex Zoudenbalch. The German side’s experience proved decisive in the second half.

Match Overview

The match started as a typical preseason workout, with both sides prioritising fitness and tactical drills. Utrecht Youth took the lead in the 22nd minute through Thijs van den Berg, who slotted home after a neat one-two. Werder Bremen II responded well and equalised just before half-time through Felix Meyer, who headed in from a corner.

Second-Half Decider

The second half saw fewer chances as heavy legs set in. The winning goal came in the 67th minute when Werder Bremen II’s Lukas Wagner curled a free-kick over the wall and into the top corner. Utrecht Youth pushed for an equaliser but were denied by some solid defending and a fine save from goalkeeper Niklas Beyer in the 82nd minute.

Tactical Story

Utrecht Youth, as expected, tried to play possession-based football, but Werder Bremen II’s physical approach disrupted their rhythm. The German side pressed aggressively and used direct balls to bypass the Dutch team’s midfield. Utrecht’s youth players showed technical quality but lacked the physical edge to dominate.

Standout Players

• Felix Meyer (Werder Bremen II) – Scored the equaliser and dominated midfield.
• Lukas Wagner (Werder Bremen II) – Match-winning free-kick.
• Thijs van den Berg (Utrecht Youth) – A well-taken goal and lively on the ball.

Context

Both teams used the friendly to give minutes to young players and to test new formations. For Werder Bremen II, the win builds momentum ahead of their Regionalliga Nord campaign. Utrecht Youth will take positives from their first-half performance despite the defeat.