Leopold ice cold from the point
Victory in Bielefeld: Hannover 96 is eyeing promotion places
February 28, 2026 – 3:05 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
The gap to the top is shrinking: Hannover 96 is underpinning its promotion ambitions. In Bielefeld, a penalty helped Lower Saxony win.
Back on the road to success: Hannover 96 stayed in touch with the top spots in the 2nd Bundesliga with a win at Arminia Bielefeld on Saturday. Lower Saxony won 1-0 (0-0) thanks to a penalty goal from Enzo Leopold (63rd minute).
The home team from Bielefeld had started courageously and gained an advantage. As the game went on, Hannover got better and better into the game. An unfortunate scene from Bielefeld then favored the promotion hopefuls’ lead: Stefano Russo got the ball on his arm in his own penalty area. Referee Eric Weisbach pointed to the spot.
Leopold stepped up and didn’t miss the chance, putting the guest from Hanover in the lead. The Lower Saxony team brought their narrow lead across the finish line – even though the ball was in the 96 goal again shortly before the final whistle. However, the goal was not counted due to a previous foul on Hanover goalkeeper Nahuel Noll (90th + 8). Goalscorer Noah Sarenren Bazee also played the ball with his hand.
Thanks to their fifth win in their seventh game since the turn of the year, Lower Saxony is in fifth place in the table, one point less than leaders SC Paderborn. Bielefeld has to stay in 12th place with four points ahead of relegation place 16. Meanwhile, orientate downwards.
Next week, Hannover will face second division bottom side Greuther Fürth in front of their home crowd (March 8th, 1:30 p.m.). Bielefeld faces top team FC Schalke 04 on Friday evening (March 6, 6:30 p.m.).
