Essen came from behind to beat Hamm-Westfalen 39:30 in a club friendly on Thursday. The result reversed the outcome from their last meeting, when Hamm-Westfalen won 27:25 in June 2025. The match took place at the home ground of the hosts, who had been looking for a response after a run of mixed results.
Essen showed more composure in this encounter than in their recent outings. They had won two of their last five games, lost two, and drawn one. Their form against Hamm-Westfalen had been poor, so this victory carried weight beyond a pre-season exercise.
The hosts started with energy but could not maintain their intensity. They had won three of their previous five matches before this one, including that earlier victory over Essen. By then, however, the visitors had adjusted and taken control of the tempo.
Essen's attackers found space where Hamm-Westfalen's defence was slow to react. The visitors worked their way through the final third with patience, and the scoreline reflected a team that had seen their opportunities and capitalised on them.
The result means Essen ended their recent struggles with a win, while Hamm-Westfalen will need to address the defensive lapses that cost them ground. Three points on the board for the visitors in their own right, even if the competition carries no standing.