Ecstasy at the Bremen Bridge: VfL Osnabrück with a last-second victory

by Sebastian Ragoss

It was the fifth minute of added time when the Bremer Bridge exploded. Bernd Riesselmann went around Verl’s keeper Philipp Schulze and pushed the ball in for the winning goal. All teammates, including the players from the bench, celebrated the goalscorer.

Results, table standings and match days at a glance.

Now it’s time for coach Timo Schultz’s team to turn all eyes to Cologne. Viktoria will play there against Energie Cottbus on Sunday (1:30 p.m.). If the Rhinelanders win, Osnabrück will be promoted to the 2nd Bundesliga early.

Bitter goal for Osnabrück

With the celebrated goal, the game came to an end that had never been foreseen. Nothing happened in front of either goal for almost 25 minutes before the game finally got going. First, VfL striker Robin Meißner failed with a 16-meter shot past Schulze.

Then Verl took the lead, but with massive support from Osnabrück: Fridolin Wagner played the ball right into the path of SC striker Berkan Taz during an attempted back pass. Jannik Müller rushed to help – and tipped the ball into his own goal (27th).

The third division table leaders can take another step towards the 2nd division in the home game against Verl. The game in full length.

A bitter goal for Lower Saxony, who were actually so strong defensively, and were now challenged on the offensive. However, they were no longer able to put the Verl defense in any lasting trouble until the break.

Quick equalizer after the break

But that changed just a few seconds after the restart. Frederik Christensen hit a sharp cross from the left, Bjarke Jacobsen headed it in. A Danish co-production to compensate.

The tactical shackles were loosened and the game became significantly faster and more varied. Shortly after the equalizer, Verl had the chance to take the lead again. Osnabrück’s keeper Lukas Jonsson skillfully parried against Marco Wörner (52′).

Several teams still have a chance of one of the top three places in the 3rd league. The remaining program for promotion candidates at a glance.

Riesselmann makes Osnabrück cheer

It got loud at the Bremer Bridge ten minutes later when Schultz substituted super joker Ismail Badjie. Would the striker also decide this game? His teammate Kai Pröger initially had a chance of making it 2-1, but his shot was too unplaced (77′).

The final phase was highly dramatic. The sixth-placed team from Verl threw everything forward to preserve their minimal chance of promotion. Martin Ens even had the opportunity to make it 2-1 (87th). But Osnabrück delivered the knockout blow. Riesselmann started unchallenged from the center line towards the SC goal and kept his nerve. The rest was pure joy.

35th matchday, April 25, 2026 2:00 p.m

Jonsson – Karademir, yes. Müller, Wiemann – Kammerbauer, F. Wagner, B. Jacobsen, Christensen (88th Lesueur) – Kopacz (72nd Pröger), Kehl (61st Badjie) – R. Meißner (88th Riesselmann)

2

P. Schulze – Mhamdi, Ens, F. Otto, Kijewski – Waidner (86th Japaur), Wessig (52nd Y. Otto) – J. Stark (52nd Arweiler), Taz, Stöcker (52nd Besio) – Wörner (80th Mesanovic)

1

Goals

• 0:1 Yes. Müller (27th, own goal)
• 1:1 B. Jacobsen (46.)
• 2:1 Riesselmann (90. +5)

More information about the game