Eintracht Braunschweig has secured the whereabouts in the 2nd Bundesliga in an extension thriller.
The Lower Saxony fought a 2: 2 (0: 2, 0: 0) after extra time in the relegation secondary against the third division third 1. FC Saarbrücken and, after the 2-0 win in the first leg, also remain second-class in the fourth year.
Florian Krüger (66.) with a converted penalty and Kai Brünker (83.) had the FCS sniff on the climb. In the end, however, it was not enough for the second division return after 19 years, because in the extension of the former Saarbrücker Fabio di Michele Sanchez (105.+2) and Rayan Philippe (120th) for the hosts playing in overnight.
Calogero Rizzuto (90.+1) had seen the yellow-red card in the added time of the regular season.
The Braunschweig club management can thus feel confirmed: the club of coach Daniel Schering had separated immediately before the relegation. Instead, Marc Pfitzner led the team into the two do-or-die games against the Saarlanders.
Before 22,605 fans in the sold-out Eintracht stadium, Braunschweig came dangerously in front of the opposing goal in a competitive game. Sebastian Polter had the first bullet option on the long post (10th), but the veteran promised the ball.
FCS goalkeeper Phillip Menzel then saved twice against Rayan Philippe (31st) and Johan Gómez (34th). The Saarlanders hardly took place offensive in the first half.
Eintracht Braunschweig shows the majority
Even in half two, the BTSV, which had never been better than 15th place in the past three years of second division, was initially the better team.
Gómez checked Menzel again (50th). Saarbrücken was awarded a penalty after a handball by Paul Jaeckel and the Var check. Kruger converted. The guests were now lurking on the comeback and became stronger.
In the extension, however, the Braunschweig surcharge was noticeable. Saarbrücken still gained opportunities, but repeatedly failed due to Braunschweig’s goalkeeper Ron -Thorben Hoffmann – and in the end it was fallen into the valley of tears by a former player.