Energie Cottbus has celebrated an important success in the promotion race after three games without a win. Claus-Dieter Wollitz’s team deservedly and clearly won against TSV Havelse, which was threatened with relegation.
- Energie Cottbus wins 3-0 (2-0) at TSV Havelse in the 3rd league
- Borgmann (20th), Cigerci (23rd) and Hannemann (56th) score the goals
- Cottbus recently had three league games without a win
- Success brings Cottbus back to second place in the table for the time being
- Havelse second to last and far behind
The footballers of Energy Cottbus celebrated an important success in the promotion race of the 3rd league. The Lausitzers won 3-0 (2-0) at TSV Havelse on Saturday afternoon. Claus-Dieter Wollitz’s team put in a good performance against Lower Saxony, who were threatened with relegation, and were able to celebrate a deserved three-point win after three games without a win.
The course of the game
Energie took control right from the start and achieved a few goals, but there were initially no major opportunities. That changed in the 14th minute: After a beautifully played combination by Tolcay Cigerci and Simon Straudi, the ball came to Moritz Hannemann, who finished with his backheel. Havelse goalkeeper Norman Quindt prevented the dream goal from close range. A little later, the 29-year-old also made a strong save against Hannemann (17th), and the energy lead would have been deserved after a good quarter of an hour.
In fact, Axel Borgmann then converted the third big chance within a very short time: after a perfectly timed pass from Lukas Michelbrink, the captain safely slotted the ball in front of Quindt (20th). And Cottbus quickly followed up: Erik Engelhardt brought the ball from the left side into the penalty area, where Cigerci poked it into the goal with his 14th goal of the season (23rd). Cottbus rewarded itself for a dominant performance, Havelse only had one opportunity in the first half through Robin Müller, but Marius Funk saved safely (34th).
After the break the game noticeably slowed down. Cottbus only did what was necessary and managed the lead cleverly. Havelse tried hard, but TSV lacked the resources to really pose a threat to Cottbus. Instead, the guests increased: the outstanding Engelhardt and Cigerci combined on the left side, and this time Hannemann converted safely in the middle (57th). Energie had further opportunities in the final phase, but was unable to extend the lead any further.
Merveille Biankadi miserably missed the best chance when he missed the goal by several meters from close range (70th). It didn’t matter to Cottbus: the Lausitz team impressively returned to the promotion race with a victory that was never in danger. At least for the time being, the Wollitz team moves back into second place.
What was going on there?
Although it was an away game and Cottbus and Hanover, where TSV Havelse plays its games, are almost 400 kilometers apart, only energetic songs could be heard in the Eilenried Stadium. As has been the case throughout the season, the Lausitzers were able to enjoy remarkable away support. The Cottbus team covered almost the entire opposing stand in red and white – impressive.
Player of the game
Tolcay Cigerci and Erik Engelhardt shared the Man of the Match Award on Saturday. The two offensive players initiated virtually every offensive action by the Lausitzers and were therefore the engine of the energetic game. While Cigerci rewarded himself for his great performance with a goal and an assist, Engelhardt had to be content with an assist. He will be able to cope with it, as he has always stood out with his technically outstanding actions.
Voices about the game
Claus-Dieter Wollitz (Energie Cottbus): “We played very well today, especially in the last third of the pitch. I don’t know how many chances we had to score, the 3-0 feels so small. (…) We deserved to win, perhaps we could have or should have scored seven, eight or nine goals. Taking advantage of our chances is a shortcoming in our second half of the season. But we are still happy for the time being.”
Samir Ferchichi (TSV Havelse): “It was a well-deserved victory for Energie Cottbus. We had no chance of winning the game on our side in any phase of the game. We weren’t good enough in the individual duels, that has to be said quite clearly. It was also the first time this season that it was so clear.”
Broadcast: rbb|24, April 4th, 2026, 5:30 p.m
Audio: rbb|24, April 4th, 2026, Jan Ole Behrens
