Hoffenheim suffer surprise defeat at the hands of OFI Crete on European return

Hoffenheim got off to the worst possible start on their return to European football as they lost 2-0 to OFI Crete in their league phase opener of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League.

OFI Crete 2-0 Hoffenheim
Goals: 1-0 Cantalapiedra 30', 2-0 Kanellopoulos 84'

Hoffenheim started the game brightly, controlling possession and looking to create, but with limited success - a pattern that would continue throughout the 90 minutes.

Ozan Kabak came close with a header that was given offside before Wouter Burger also narrowly missed the target. Then came the Crete counter as Kenan Kodro battled past Albian Hajdari to square for Aitor Cantalapiedra to fire home on the half-hour mark.

More Hoffenheim chances came and went after the interval as Adam Hložek, Burger and Andrej Kramarić all found themselves unable to score the equaliser. Georgios Kanellopoulos made them pay by landing the decisive blow, rising highest to meet a Crete corner and heading home to give the hosts a surprise two-goal lead that Hoffenheim were unable to recover from.

Crete's Aitor Cantalapiedra grabbed the opener after 30 minutes, sending Hoffenheim in at the break a goal down. - IMAGO/ONE INCH PRODUCTIONS

As it happened!

2 - 0

(1 - 0)

OFI

FINAL

Hoffenheim

Europa League
League phase, Matchday 1 League phase, Matchday 1 Pankritio, Heraklion

Full-time: OFI Crete 2-0 Hoffenheim

A goal in each half sees Crete pull off something of a shock result as they beat Hoffenheim 2-0. The German side had opportunities, but couldn't take them, and as the game went on, Hoffenheim seemingly ran out of ideas. At the other end, Crete were clinical and took their chances.

© IMAGO/ONE INCH PRODUCTIONS

Full-time

90'

+ 3

Not too far from a third

Leya Iseka gets free on the right and sends in a low cross that only narrowly avoids Nuss at the back post. He would have had a tap-in had the ball reached him.

90'

Added time

With just four minutes remaining, it looks a long way back for Hoffenheim.

89'

Chance smothered

Hoffenheim win a couple of headers in the box, and the ball drops to Kramarić, but he is crowded out before he can get a shot away.

Kanellopoulos doubles Crete's lead

A shock is certainly on the cards now as the Greek side double their lead. Borja González whips in a corner, and Kanellopoulos gets to the ball first to head home at the near post. It's a long way back for Hoffenheim now.

© IMAGO/ONE INCH PRODUCTIONS

84'

Georgios Kanellopoulos

GOAL!

2:0

Ten minutes remaining

There's not long left now for Hoffenheim to turn this one around. Do they still have time for an equaliser?

© COSTAS METAXAKIS

80'

Substitution

Borja González

Lorenzo Dickmann

80'

Substitution

Aaron Leya Iseka

Kenan Kodro

78'

Lemperle can't bundle the ball home

Burger does well to spot Lemperle at the back post and sends in a perfect low cross that Lemperle launches himself at under pressure, but the ball rather hits his body in the end and loops wide of the far post.

77'

Decent hit

A loose ball drops to Conté on the edge of the box. He strikes it on the volley, but his bobbling effort does little to worry Christogeorgos between the sticks.

75'

Substitution

Fisnik Asllani

Adam Hložek

74'

Too close to the keeper

Hoffenheim take a short corner and Kramarić whips in a cross, but it is far too close to Christogeorgos, who takes a blow whilst gathering the cross and needs treatment.

Now way through

Try as they might, Hoffenheim remain unable to break down this Crete defence.

© IMAGO/ONE INCH PRODUCTIONS

70'

Substitution

Ioannis Apostolakis

Aitor Cantalapiedra

69'

Substitution

Georgios Kanellopoulos

Andreas Bouchalakis

67'

Substitution

Adam Daghim

Mats Rots

65'

Off target again

Conté tries his luck this time, but he can't hit the target.

64'

Blocked

Machida picks up a yellow for a foul on Nuss. Bouchalakis tries his luck from the set-piece, but his shot flies straight into the wall.

64'

Yellow card

Aitor Cantalapiedra

63'

Yellow card

Kōki Machida

62'

Another big opportunity

Christogeorgos almost gifts Hoffenheim a goal with an awful pass that ends up with Burger, but he can't get a shot away, and neither can Kramarić at the second attempt as the goalkeeper recovers to gather the ball.

61'

Wasted chance

A neat exchange of passes sees Hložek get free in the box, but he can only scuff an effort over the bar from a really good position.

60'

Substitution

Thiago Nuss

Taxiarchis Fountas

60'

Substitution

Bambasé Conté

Patrick Wimmer

60'

Substitution

Andrej Kramarić

Nathan De Cat

60'

Charged down

Avdullahu beats Cantalapiedra with a nice fake on the edge of the box before shooting, but Krizmanić gets in the way.

56'

Yellow card

Thanasis Androutsos

54'

It could be 2-0

A rare foray forward from the hosts almost ends in their second goal of the night. Athanasiou breaks down the left and sends in a perfect cross for Fountas. He meets it first time, but he can only fire narrowly wide from near the penalty spot.

53'

Yellow card

Nathan De Cat

50'

Not far away

Hložek dips inside from the left and tries to whip a shot into the far corner, but he can't quite get the necessary bend on the shot, and his effort drifts wide.

48'

Off target

Rots lines up a shot from range, which flies well over the bar.

47'

A good chance

Lemperle hooks a cross into the box that Hložek meets on the volley. He doesn't connect cleanly, but it's enough to keep Christogeorgos on his toes.

46'

Back underway

The ball is moving once again in Crete.

46'

Substitution

Kōki Machida

Albian Hajdari

Kick-off!

Half-time: OFI Crete 1-0 Hoffenheim

The hosts lead at the break thanks to that goal from Cantalapiedra. The Greek side haven't created a lot, but they've scored the only goal of the game. Hoffenheim, meanwhile, have had a few opportunities, with the majority falling to Burger, though he hasn't been able to convert so far. Hoffenheim have it all to do after the interval.

© IMAGO/ONE INCH PRODUCTIONS

Half-time

45'

+ 1

Another Burger chance

A good switch of play finds Coufal. He sends in a floated cross from the right that Burger meets with his head once more, but yet again, the effort is of little danger and is blocked. Hložek tries to poke home the rebound, but his foot is too high and a free-kick is given.

45'

Added time

There'll be two extra minutes before the break.

44'

Headed over

A Hoffenheim cross from the left is flicked on at the near post, and Burger is there in the centre to meet the ball, but he can only head over the bar from a useful position.

41'

A nasty blow

There's a stoppage in play as Androutsos receives treatment. He caught the trailing boot of Kabak in the back of the head after the defender had headed off target.

41'

Wimmer can't get through

The Austrian brings down a cross to the back post and tries to shoot, but his effort is blocked at the near post.

35'

How will Hoffenheim respond?

The German side have been on top for much of this game, but suddenly they find themselves a goal down. Can they find a way back into the game before the break?

Cantalapiedra fires Crete in front

Kodro battles his way to a long ball over the top, holding off Hajdari's challenge before squaring for Cantalapiedra, who fires past Baumann into the roof of the net. Hoffenheim want a foul for the challenge on Hajdari, but nothing is given.

© COSTAS METAXAKIS

30'

Aitor Cantalapiedra

GOAL!

1:0

28'

Hoffenheim on top

The visitors are the side setting the tempo, but for now, we remain level.

23'

Coufal in the book

Coufal and Cantalapiedra get caught in a tangle on the left flank, and both go to ground, with the referee giving the hosts a free-kick and Coufal the first card of the day.

23'

Yellow card

Vladimír Coufal

Who will grab the opener?

Hoffenheim have been on top so far, but Crete have had their moments on the counter.

© IMAGO/ONE INCH PRODUCTIONS

20'

Burger denied

That's the best bit of Hoffenheim football so far tonight as they combine neatly down the right before Wimmer lays the ball off to Burger on the edge of the box. He hits it first time, but his shot is too central, and Christogeorgos gathers the effort.

16'

Fired over

Hložek has a yard of space on the edge of the box and shoots, but his effort has too much on it and flies over the bar.

15'

Not much missing

A Hoffenheim corner is sent back into the box and met by Kabak, whose header forces Christogeorgos into an acrobatic save. The flag was up, but replays suggest Kabak might well have been onside.

12'

Threatening from the hosts

Crete look to break with a quick switch of play before a dangerous cross from the right has to be cut out. The ball is then cleared out to Bouchalakis, who drives a shot towards goal that Baumann has to gather.

7'

Deflected

A Hoffenheim cross is cleared out to Burger on the edge of the box. He tries his luck first time, but doesn't connect cleanly with the shot, also taking a deflection on the way through to the goalkeeper that kills any pace that was on the shot initially.

5'

An even start

Both sides have had early spells of possession, but no real chances so far. The closest we've come was a Crete cross that looked as if it could be awkward for Baumann for a moment, but that, in the end, floated out of play.

1'

We're underway

The ball is moving as Hoffenheim get their European campaign underway.

Kick-off!

Players on the pitch

We're about to get underway.

More on that OFI Crete team

Head coach Christos Kontis has made just one change from the team that beat Olympiacos a few days ago, with Krešimir Krizmanić (pictured) coming in for Dimitris Nikolaou on the left-hand side of the back three.

© IMAGO/Giannis Papanikos

Two changes for Hoffenheim

Patrick Wimmer (pictured) is one of two fresh faces brought in following Hoffenheim's 2-1 win against VfB Stuttgart at the weekend. He is joined in attacking midfield by Nathan de Cat, with Adam Daghim and Bambasé Conté dropping to the bench.

© Bundesliga/Getty Images/Christian Kaspar-Bartke

OFI Crete starting XI

Christogeorgos - Kostoulas, Poungouras, Krizmanić - Dickmann, Androutsos, Bouchalakis, Athanasiou - Fountas, Kodro, Cantalapiedra

OFI Crete subs

Lilo, Katsikas, Karachalios, Kanellopoulos, Leya Iseka, Shelis, Borja González, Nuss, Apostolakis, Romano, Theodosoulakis, Kainourgiakis

Hoffenheim starting XI

Baumann - Coufal, Ozan Kabak, Hajdari, Rots - Avdullahu, Burger - De Cat, Hložek, Wimmer - Lemperle

Hoffenheim subs

Petersson, Philipp, Hranáč, Moerstedt, Asllani, Daghim, Gendrey, Conté, Prass, Kramarić, Machida, Lenz

Burger on Hoffenheim's potential

“I have great confidence in the team. If we bring everything to the pitch, we can put on a very good performance. I think this season’s squad is even a bit better than last season’s.”

© THOMAS KIENZLE

Wouter Burger on facing Crete

“OFI Crete have conceded very few goals in recent matches. They have a good defense, as well as good creative players who can control the ball. They are also very experienced. OFI are a very dangerous opponent; it will be a tough match.”

© IMAGO/DeFodi.de

OFI's danger men

Taxiarchis Fountas (pictured) netted a double in their first-leg play-off win over CSKA Sofia, while striker Thiago Nuss netted once in the second-leg against Sofia and also has a goal to his name in the league. Former Mainz man Kodro is their top domestic scorer though, with two goals in three games.

© IMAGO/DeFodi.de

Hosts in fine form

Crete have won three of their opening four league games, their most recent result being a 1-0 win over Olympiacos. They currently sit third in the Greek Super League.

© IMAGO/Ivan S Ivanov/IPA Sport

A Hoffenheim first

This will be the first time that the Sinsheim outfit have faced a Greek side in European competition. Crete, on the other hand, have faced German opposition just once. They came up against Bayer Leverkusen in the 1995/96 UEFA Intertoto Cup, losing 1-0.

Delays en route

Hoffenheim's preparations in Greece were disrupted by a delayed departure from Karlsruhe and technical issues that interrupted their rescheduled news conference, leaving journalists unable to hear Ilzer's tactical breakdown.

Christos Kontis on facing Hoffenheim

"They're a well-organised team, but we'll be going out there to get the win," said the OFI Crete coach at his pre-match press briefiing. "We're not afraid of anyone. We're on a journey."

© IMAGO/Box to Box Pictures/Yannick Verhoeven

Ilzer on Hoffenheim's Europa League participation

"We saw from our most recent involvement in the competition two years ago that this won’t be a walk in the park. Our opponents are of a high standard – they didn’t qualify for the Europa League for no good reason. However, there’s a great appeal in experiencing other countries and other football cultures, and in testing ourselves against them."

© IMAGO/Nordphoto / Bratic

Ilzer: 'We stand for certain things'

Giving an extensive interview via the club's media channels, Hoffenheim head coach Christian Ilzer discussed the club's approach with added matches and a bigger squad. "We don’t want to change our identity," he said. "We stand for certain things on the pitch. We aim to develop the players to the best of our ability through the way we play football. Our approach is proactive, direct, dominant and demands a high level of intensity. That’s what we expect from our lads every single day. Everyone here identifies with that."

© Bundesliga/Getty Images/Christian Kaspar-Bartke

Adam Daghim shares excitement

"I’m genuinely excited for every single match, and I want to go as far as possible in this competition. All of us want to go further than we ever have before."

© IMAGO/pepphoto / Horst Mauelshagen

Hložek looks ahead to Europa League

"I’m happy we picked up the three points. It was a very important win for us. It was very emotional for me to finally score again after such a long time. Last season was a disaster for me. Now I’m definitely back. The two goals were important for us as a team and for me personally. Against Cologne and Dortmund we lost after taking the lead, but today we defended with full concentration for 90 minutes. I hope we can start well in the Europa League on Thursday."

© Bundesliga/Getty Images/Christian Kaspar-Bartke

Ex-Mainz forward downs Olympiacos

Kenan Kodro, who spent part of the 2017/18 campaign with the 05ers, scored the only goal as OFI beat Olympiacos 1-0 to register their third win in four Greek Super League games this season.

© Martin Hoffmann

Play video

1:00

Watch: Hoffenheim 2-1 Stuttgart - highlights

Christian Ilzer's side warmed up for their Europa League opener by registering their first Bundesliga win of the season, as Adam Hložek's double helped see off regional rivals VfB Stuttgart.

Schicker on the UEL

"This competition is a wonderful reward for us. It’s going to be a very exciting group stage. I’m looking forward to it because the opponents are very appealing." said Hoffenheim managing director for sport Andreas Schicker.

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Memmler

Who are OFI Crete?

The biggest club on the holiday island of Crete have been ever-present in the Greek Super League since last gaining promotion in 2018, and celebrated their second Greek Cup win last season after 1986/87. They also beat AEK Athens in the Greek Super Cup last month. Their smattering of past European campaigns includes facing Bayer Leverkusen in the 1995/96 Intertoto Cup, when they lost 1-0 at the BayArena.

© IMAGO/Bahho Kara

OFI's last European campaign: 2020/21

Last season's Greek Cup winners are set for their first European campaign in six years, when they were beaten 1-0 by Apollon Limassol in the Europa League's second qualifying round. They successfully saw off CSKA Sofia 5-0 on aggregate in the play-off round to reach this season's league phase.

© IMAGO/IPA Sport/ABACA

Hoffenheim's last European campaign: 2024/25

Hoffenheim took two wins and three draws in eight league phase matches in the UEFA Europa League two seasons ago, with their nine points leaving them in 27th and just a few spots outside of the play-off positions.

© Alex Grimm

Welcome!

Follow all of the build-up and live action as Hoffenheim kick off the league phase of the UEFA Europa League away at OFI on Thursday (kick-off: 6.45pm CEST).

About the clubs

TSG Hoffenheim

SNP Arena