The Hildesheim Invaders (3-6) capped a chaotic shootout at Helios Field by denying Düsseldorf Panther (3-5) a game-tying field goal as time expired, securing a 40-37 victory through Christian Kloetergens’ decisive special-teams heroics.
High-octane offense sets tone
Quarterback Hendrik Scharnbacher ignited the Invaders’ attack with a 30-yard touchdown pass to Nils Bäumer and a 6-yard strike to Keelan Cole Sr., erasing an early 13-7 deficit. Matti Probst’s 16-yard rushing score opened the scoring, but Düsseldorf’s Cole Stenstrom countered with a 61-yard bomb to James Okike, foreshadowing a shootout.
Lead swings define middle quarters
Düsseldorf surged ahead 30-26 in the third quarter behind Chris Lipsey’s 40-yard rushing TD and Okike’s third score—a 4-yard catch. Hildesheim responded with Jeremie Kwanzambi Beni’s 56-yard breakaway TD, followed by Vincent McDonald’s 3-yard plunge to reclaim a 40-30 lead. Okike’s fourth TD—a 34-yard reception—narrowed the gap to 40-37 with seconds left, setting up the decisive special teams duel.
Kloetergens’ clutch block seals win
After Düsseldorf recovered a blocked punt, kicker Christian Kloetergens lined up a potential game-tying 29-yard field goal. The Invaders’ defensive lineman shattered the attempt, preserving the win. “Düsseldorf challenged us, but we fought until the end,” said head coach Marcus Herford. “These games build character.”
Key contributors
- James Okike (Panthers): 4 TDs (61, 66, 4, 34 yards)
- Jeremie Kwanzambi Beni (Invaders): 56-yard TD run
- Christian Kloetergens (Invaders): Game-saving block
Road ahead
The Invaders enter a three-week break before facing the Allgäu Comets on August 16. Düsseldorf, now sixth in the GFL North, must regroup ahead of their rivalry clash with the Paderborn Dolphins on August 9. For Hildesheim, this win injects momentum into a season defined by narrow defeats.