Drama in the 2nd league comes to a head
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Hannover 96 did not take advantage of SC Paderborn’s mistake and has to cope with the next setback in the promotion race of the 2nd Bundesliga. The Lower Saxony team couldn’t get past a 1-1 (0-0) draw at VfL Bochum on the penultimate matchday. This means that coach Christian Titz’s team goes into the final matchday in third place with 59 points, level on points with fourth-placed Paderborn in the fight for a return to the Bundesliga. SV Elversberg is also second in the table with 59 points, but the Saarland team will play at Fortuna Düsseldorf on Sunday (1:30 p.m./Sky) and can make the Bundesliga almost perfect with a win because of the significantly better goal difference.
After a weak performance in the first half, central defender Maik Nawrocki (50th minute) headed in shortly after the break from a short corner to give Hannover the interim lead. But Bochum’s response was only a short time coming: Substitute Farid Alfa-Ruprecht (55th) equalized with a beautiful shot into the far corner.
Under pressure, Hannover 96 kept running towards the end of the game in the sold-out Bochum Ruhrstadion, but were denied by Bochum goalkeeper Timo Horn.
With one away point, Lower Saxony will go into the final matchday in relegation position. SV Elversberg, on the other hand, could take a big step towards promotion to the Bundesliga thanks to the two draws between Hannover and Paderborn on Sunday. With a win against Düsseldorf, who are threatened with relegation, the Saarland team would virtually secure second place in the table because of the significantly better goal difference.
Relegation battle in the 2nd league: Braunschweig and Magdeburg are celebrating
Eintracht Braunschweig celebrated an important home win in the relegation battle of the 2nd league. After the 2:1 (1:0) against Dynamo Dresden, the Lower Saxony team moved past Arminia Bielefeld in the table. Just like Dynamo, the people of Braunschweig are now looking forward to the results of Greuther Fürth and Fortuna Düsseldorf this Sunday. If both lose, Dresden would be saved early after a strong second half of the season. They would have needed a point in Braunschweig to stay in the league on their own.
In front of 22,480 spectators, Florian Flick gave Eintracht the lead in the 20th minute. Faride Alidou (50th) increased the score to 2-0 shortly after the break. In the 67th minute, Braunschweig’s goalkeeper Ron-Thorben Hoffmann saved a penalty from Stefan Kutschke. Shortly before the end, the experienced Dynamo striker scored with a header to make it 1-2 (86th).
From the start, both teams fought an intense battle for every inch of the pitch. With the strong results of the past few months behind them, Dynamo was the better and more confident team in terms of play. Immediately after the 0-1 lead, Braunschweig’s goalkeeper Ron-Thorben Hoffmann made a brilliant save to prevent Vincent Vermeij from quickly equalizing (22′).
But Eintracht defended with a lot of effort and passion and prevented significantly more of Dresden’s great chances. Jason Ceka (35th) and Jakob Lemmer (82nd) were dangerous again. After the missed penalty and the connecting goal, Tony Menzel headed it onto the crossbar (90th+6).
1. FC Magdeburg has taken a big step towards staying in the league. Coach Petrik Sander’s team deservedly won 3-1 (2-0) against the already saved northern club Holstein Kiel. On Sunday, staying in the class could be celebrated with the help of the competitors. Jean Hugonet (40th minute), Dariusz Stalmach (45th + 2) and Baris Atik (56th) scored from a direct corner for the visitors. Adrián Kaprálik (90+2) scored the next goal for the hosts.
After just under three minutes the hosts were weakened. Kasper Davidsen had to leave the field injured. After that, the Kiel team played more actively. But the tightly staggered FCM defense skillfully defended the tentative attempts. The really big opportunities on both sides failed to materialize.
Then the efficient Magdeburgers struck. After a cross, defender Hugonet stayed in front and used an unsuccessful attempt by colleague Stalmach. And the Kiel team also acted too passively when they conceded the second goal: the eye-catching Stalmach was allowed to head the ball for the guests far too unnoticed by the Kiel team. After the break, a corner from Atik flew straight into the Kiel goal.
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