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Sports1. FC Magdeburg to host West Ham United on July 30 for 60th anniversary friendly
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1. FC Magdeburg (FCM) hosts English Premier League side West Ham United at the Avnet Arena on July 30, 2026, for a season-opening friendly. The match marks the 60th anniversary of their European Cup Winners' Cup quarterfinal clash, which West Ham won. FCM will honor former players from that era, including Wolfgang Seguin and Jürgen Sparwasser. West Ham, recently relegated from the Premier League, uses the game as a dress rehearsal for their Carabao Cup opener against Portsmouth on August 8. For FCM, it is a final test before their second-division season begins against Braunschweig. Striker Emmanuel Iyoha expressed excitement about facing a physical international opponent. A fan program starts at 12:30 PM, and the entire FCM squad will sign autographs after the match.
Source report
Huge anticipation at 1. FC Magdeburg: For the big season opener, English traditional club West Ham United will come to the Avnet Arena on Saturday (kickoff 2:30 PM). Fans are eagerly awaiting the duel, which also marks a reunion with an old European Cup opponent.
Dress Rehearsal Against a Top Club
60 years ago, both clubs met in the European Cup Winners' Cup. The then SCM failed in the quarterfinals after a 0-1 loss in the first leg and a 1-1 draw in the second leg against the English side.
FCM Managing Director Martin Geisthardt said:
"The fact that this encounter is happening right now is particularly nice, especially since our European Cup duel against West Ham marks its 60th anniversary. On this occasion, we have invited the former players to the season opener at the Avnet Arena. With a tribute, we want to honor this special moment and symbolically close the circle."
Among those present back then:
- Wolfgang Seguin
- Jürgen Sparwasser
- Manfred Zapf
- Reiner Wiedemann
- Wolfgang Klingbiel
West Ham's Season Outlook
In the past season, West Ham was relegated from the Premier League and now aims for immediate promotion. For the Londoners, this is also a dress rehearsal. On August 8, West Ham will start their season in the Carabao Cup (League Cup) against Portsmouth.
With Konstantinos Mavropanos (center), a former Bundesliga professional (VfB Stuttgart) is in the West Ham United squad. Photo: Offside via Getty Images
FCM's Perspective
For FCM, the game is a rehearsal for the second-division reality next week against Braunschweig. The Sander men must be fully alert.
Striker Emmanuel Iyoha said:
"The anticipation is naturally huge. Also to be able to measure oneself against such an international opponent and see where one stands in comparison. It will certainly be a more physical game. They are all very robust players. It will be a cool dress rehearsal. And for me, it's the first home game, which is also something very special."
Supporting Program
A large supporting program around the football spectacle will already start at 12:30 PM. After the game, the entire squad of the second-division club will be available for autographs for the fans.
Source
BILD - SportWestern
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1. FC Magdeburg vs West Ham United: FCM Rehearses for Second Division Reality with Top Club Friendly