Darmstadt 98 is also thanks to a curious goal in the top group of the 2nd Bundesliga.
Phillip Tietz stole the ball from the inattentive opposing goalkeeper Markus Kolke in the 4-0 (2-0) win against Hansa Rostock on Saturday evening and pushed into the empty goal for an early lead. Darmstadt joined three other clubs with this interim record with nine points from four games, for Rostock it was the second defeat of the season.
Tietz’ feat threw Hansa’s tactical strategy upside down in the third minute. Kolke had the ball in front of him a bit and was checking his pass options when the striker surprised him from the side.
Darmstadt was able to withdraw a little – and it struck again with a counterattack: Marvin Mehlem made it 2-0 (18th), from which Rostock never recovered in front of 14,120 spectators. Tietz also headed in after a corner kick to make it 3-0 (54th).
Opportunities in Rostock were rare: Substitute Kevin Schumacher headed against the post (55′) before Tobias Kempe (74′) converted a penalty kick to the final score.