The “eternal” second division team prevented the crash. SpVgg Greuther Fürth won the relegation second leg against third division club Rot-Weiss Essen 2-0 (1-0) and secured relegation with some effort. The traditional club RWE won the first leg 1-0 and therefore dreamed of returning to the second division after difficult years with relegations, bankruptcy and sporting failure.
“It’s a huge burden being lifted. It’s indescribable. I’m overjoyed and incredibly proud. That was a great achievement,” said Fürth’s veteran Felix Klaus beaming with joy on Sky.
RWE coach Uwe Koschinat, however, was reluctant. “It’s annoying. We had many opportunities to go into extra time. We left our hearts on the pitch and can be proud, even if we can’t buy anything for it at the moment,” he said on Sat.1. The 1955 champions were last second-class in 2006/2007.
Fürth fans are calling for a “new beginning” at the Ronhof
After the game, however, the nerves were initially frayed. A scuffle broke out. Despite the celebrated relegation, the Fürth fans also openly showed their dissatisfaction with a largely messed up season. “On the pitch and in the committees: losers out – new beginnings now,” read a huge banner. Of course, “some things went wrong,” Klaus admitted, “but now is the wrong time to talk about it.”
Second division top scorer Noel Futkeu gave the Kleeblatt the lead in the Ronhof in front of 15,000 spectators (29th). Veteran Branimir Hrgota scored 2-0 (47th) in his last game for Fürth.
Fürth, which confidently leads the “eternal” second division table and only saved itself from relegation in the last game of the season with a 3-0 win against Düsseldorf, avoided the first relegation to the third division since 1997. Münster and Düsseldorf are the only two relegated from the second division. Osnabrück and Cottbus are rising.
