Preview

Preview - Karlsruher SC

  • Last warm-up match before UEFA Europa League qualification campaign begins
  • 2. Bundesliga side Karlsruher are one of Slaven Bilic’s former clubs
  • Andy Carroll set for first run-out of Austria tour

When and where?

West Ham United v Karlsruher SC
Pre-season match,
Saturday 23 July 2016, 5pm CEST (4pm BST)
Franz-Fekete-Stadion, Johann-Brandl-Gasse 25, 8605 Kapfenberg

What’s the story?

The Hammers’ preparations for their UEFA Europa League campaign enter their final stages on Saturday when they take on German 2. Bundesliga side Karlsruher SC in Austria.
 
This will be the third and final friendly of the Hammers’ tour to Austria, following a 2-2 draw with FC Slovacko and a 3-0 defeat to Rubin Kazan on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.
 
With the first leg of the Europa League third qualifying round tie against NK Domzale coming up on Thursday, this match represents another chance to build fitness ahead of the big kick-off.
 
Karlsruher were regular top-half finishers in the Bundesliga in the 1990s and counted Hammers boss Slaven Bilic among their players at the time, but have bounced between the top flight and the third tier since.
 
They currently play in 2. Bundesliga and finished seventh last season, a year on from the heartbreak of a play-off defeat to Hamburg.
 
Pre-season has begun well for KSC, with big wins over smaller German clubs and a 1-0 success against Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir last time out.  They follow Saturday’s game by taking on Derby County a week later.

Team news

Saturday could see a first run-out of the Austria tour for Andy Carroll and Winston Reid.
 
The pair have been training hard all week, but missed the double header of matches on Tuesday and Wednesday as they manage their pre-season work.
 
Slaven Bilic has 25 players at his disposal in Austria and will likely use a blend of experience and youth again when his team face Karlsruher.

Any links between the two?

Yes! Hammers boss Slaven Bilic was a Karlsruher SC player for three years in the mid 1990s, prior to signing for West Ham United.
 
He featured in 54 Bundesliga games for KSC, helping them to top-six finishes in the German top flight before making his move to London.

How do I get to the game? 

Click here for a map showing the Franz-Fekete-Stadion’s location.

How can I watch the game?

The game is being broadcast live in the UK on Premier Sports, which is available on the Sky, Virgin and TalkTalk platforms. Click here for more info.