3rd league
As of: February 28, 2026 6:26 p.m
The footballers of VfL Osnabrück are, at least for the time being, leaders in the 3rd league thanks to a 3:1 (1:1) win at Kellerkind Erzgebirge Aue. Coach Timo Schultz’s team made everything clear after the break.
After an Auer defensive blackout, Ismail Badjie first scored to give the visitors the lead (17th), before Julian Günther-Schmidt equalized with a powerful shot from eleven meters three minutes before the break. After the break, a double strike from Tony Lesueur (73′) and Robin Meißner (76′) set the course for victory. VfL had more playful potential, but the Saxons fought with a lot of heart. The quality prevailed in the end.
The purple-whites are leading the third division table at least until Sunday afternoon. Then MSV Duisburg could overtake Energie Cottbus, which played 0-0 against Verl in the top game on Saturday evening, and Osnabrück by winning with at least a two-goal difference against TSV Havelse.
Curious VfL lead after Auer’s slapstick performance
The Lower Saxony team appeared confident from the start and had a huge chance to take the lead after just four minutes: Robin Fabinski brought the ball sharp and flat in front of the Auer goal, but Frederik Christensen was denied from seven meters by veteran goalkeeper Martin Männel.
However, he was powerless when the visitors took the lead a little later: Christensen hit the ball long from the halfway line, the Auer defenders Ryan Malone and Tristan Zobel ran into each other and stumbled – the beneficiary Badjie went around Männel and easily pushed in to make it 1-0 (17th).
Aue holds on – equalizer shortly before the break
The Saxons almost equalized in return, but after a long throw-in from Malone, VfL goalkeeper Lukas Jonsson was just able to parry a header from Erzgebirge striker Marcel Bär (19th).
The game was now more balanced and shortly before the break the bravely fighting home team were rewarded: Jannic Ehlers put the ball from the baseline back to the penalty spot from the left side of the penalty area and Günther-Schmidt scored a remarkable goal in the top right (42nd).
Second half initially at eye level – then a double blow
After the break, both teams came out of the locker room with more offensive power: Ehlers’ shot landed in the arms of Jonsson (46th), and Christensen’s volley was blocked on the other side (49th). Encouraged by the equalizer, the home team created a number of chances, but the calm Osnabrück team scored the goals: Substitute Lesueur sent a cross from the left over the line (73′) and three minutes later Meißner made the decision from ten meters.
It wasn’t a brilliant victory, but the guests presented themselves as a top team that could definitely compete for promotion given their form.
Osnabrück will be active again in three days and will welcome Viktoria Köln at the Bremer Bridge on Tuesday evening (7 p.m. in the NDR Livecenter).
26th matchday, February 28th, 2026 2:00 p.m
Männel – Fallmann, Malone, Zobel, Collins – Clausen (78th Ocansey), Uhlmann (84th Simnica), Stefaniak (78th Weinhauer) – Günther-Schmidt (68th Guttau) – Bär, Ehlers (68th Schmid)
1
Jonsson-Fabinski, yes. Müller, Wiemann – Pröger (87th Ajdini), F. Wagner (87th Janotta), Wiethaup, Christensen – Badjie (62nd Lesueur), Kehl (80th Tesche) – R. Meißner (87th Kania)
3
Goals
- 0:1 Badjie (17th)
- 1:1 Günther Schmidt (42.)
- 1:2 Lesueur (73.)
- 1:3 R. Meissner (76.)
More information about the game
