Report | Swansea City 2 Holstein Kiel 2

Swansea City were held to a draw against Holstein Kiel in their first pre-season fixture of the 2026-27 campaign in Austria.

Ronald had the Swans one goal up within five minutes, before a set-piece header from David Zec had the opposing team on level terms.

Adam Idah restored his side’s lead early in the second half after putting pressure on the Holstein Kiel backline.

But, Faride Alidou levelled once again for the Bundesliga 2 outfit ensuring a draw in Kufstein.

Stephen Welsh and Moussa Yeo both had their first minutes under their belt as Swansea City players, whilst Filip Lissah occupied left-back following his Falkirk loan spell. 

The Swans were without Goncalo Franco after the midfielder underwent successful surgery earlier this week, and last season’s topscorer, Zan Vipotnik after feeling tightness in his quad.

Second-year scholar Carter Heywood also gained senior minutes in the second-half as a substitute.

The Swans had the brighter start, with most of the action down the left in the opening three minutes. Swansea had a chance on goal moments later as Cullen’s free-kick rolled just wide of the near post.

Stephen Welsh got his head on the ball from a Swans corner, but it was an easy gather for the Holstein Kiel stopper.

But with five minutes on the clock, the Swans broke the deadlock. Ronald latching on to a forward ball before slicing the ball down the middle of the net for the opener.

Holstein Kiel almost drew level immediately as Zec's close-range effort -on it’s way in to the bottom corner - scuffed off the woodwork.

Just before the 20 minute mark, the German side did find themselves back in the game as a powerful header from Zec proved unstoppable for Vigouroux following Kiel’s first corner of the game.

Ronald almost netted his second of the afternoon in similar fashion to his opener after a smooth Adam Idah lay-off, but Weiner came off his line to intercept.

And on the cusp of the break, the Swans resealed their lead as Idah charged down Weiner before disposing the keeper and slotting home for the second.

Vitor called for 10 changes in the second period, with the exception of Welsh.

Andy Fisher replaced Vigouroux in the Swansea goal after the break, and the stopper produced a fine save to keep out an Alidou strike, but the forward made sure to find the net on the rebound to level once again.

The game began to settle with neither side threatening each other’s goal. Bobby Wales was introduced in the closing stages in place of Thomas Woodward in search find the third.

Minutes from time Frederick Roslyng almost clinched the win for Holstein Kiel as his strike shattered the woodwork and out for a goal kick.

First-half XI: Lawrence Vigouroux, Jay Fulton, Ben Cabango, Josh Tymon, Liam Cullen, Leo Walta, Stephen Welsh, Filip Lissah, Adam Idah, Ronald, Moussa Yeo.

Second-half XI: Andy Fisher, Josh Key, Melker Widell, Stephen Welsh (Carter Heywood 60), Zeidane Inoussa, Ollie Cooper, Sam Parker, Daniel Watts, Thomas Woodward (Bobby Wales 84), Cameron Congreve, Arthur Parker.