The promotion is perfect: the women of Hertha BSC will play in the 2nd league next season. After winning the first leg, the Berliners could even afford a late defeat in the second leg against 1. FC Saarbrücken.
- Hertha’s women celebrate promotion to the 2nd league
- Defeat 1. FC Saarbrücken after the first and second leg
- Hertha’s amateur stadium sold out with over 4,000 spectators
It is done: the women of Hertha BSC have achieved their desired promotion to the 2nd league. In the second leg against 1. FC Saarbrücken (champions of the Regionalliga Südwest), the Berliners suffered a 2:3 defeat (1:1) despite leading twice. But they already had that before Clearly won the first leg.
Lightning gate from Wellhausen
It only took nine seconds for the blue and white party to start on the pitch in the stadium, which was sold out with 4,203 spectators. Saarbrücken made a bad pass immediately after kick-off. Top scorer Elfie Wellhausen stormed away and lofted the ball over goalkeeper Nora Clausen to make it 1-0 (1st). Shortly afterwards, Johanna Seifert increased the score to supposedly 2-0, but the goal was preceded by an offside (3′).
Saarbrücken equalizes
Anyone who thought after these first few minutes that they were watching a one-sided game on Sunday afternoon was wrong. Because the guests from Saarland, under pressure after the 1:4 in the first leg, had not yet given up their dream of promotion. After a corner, Hertha didn’t get the ball cleared and after several stops it ended up at Yara Volpert, who scored from the right wing to equalize 1-1 (11th). A game that was as evenly balanced as it was entertaining developed, in which the Berliners had the next opportunity. Lotte Reimold finished after the visitors lost the ball in the penalty area, but was denied by goalkeeper Clausen (14th). On the other hand, Lilli Berwind had a great chance to give Saarbrücken the lead, but her header went over the goal (18th).
The Berlin team led by coach Tobias Kurbjuweit then left the game design to the guests, who often lacked the ultimate determination. So it was the Berliners who had a great chance in stoppage time. This time goalkeeper Clausen intercepted a lob from Johanna Seifert (45th + 2).
Saarbrücken keeper Clausen parries strongly
Even after the break, the first chance belonged to the hosts. Reimold prevailed with strong dribbling and shot powerfully from the edge of the penalty area, but Saarbrücken’s goalkeeper Clausen stood out once again this afternoon (46th). And Hertha’s keeper Inga Buchholz was also challenged. After a free kick, Berwind took a follow-up shot from close range, but the Hertha player was there (52′).
Saarbrücken turns the game around late
The pressure on the Saarlanders grew with every passing minute, but the guests apparently lacked a brilliant idea of how they could make up for the deficit from the first leg. Instead, Elfie Wellhausen once again gave Berlin the lead (82′). Kristin Hauck managed to equalize again in stoppage time (90+1). And Lena Ripperger even scored the late 3-2 winning goal, but that couldn’t change Hertha’s promotion (90th + 4).
Hertha celebrates, Saarbrücken disappoints
The Berliners then stormed the pitch and exuberantly celebrated the biggest success in their young history. “We are of course super happy that we prevailed. Now the girls can really step on the gas,” said coach Tobias Kurbjuweit – but he didn’t forget the guests: “I told the team that they should celebrate it, but also be humble. It could have affected us just as much as it did the Saarbrücken team. They showed their true potential again today and didn’t win the game completely undeservedly. You saw what a really, really great team they are. The people of Saarbrücken were very depressed. “We are very, very disappointed. Our goal from the start was to get into the second division this season. As a master, you actually have to move up. We played an outstanding season, scored over 100 goals and only conceded five goals. And then come the two relegation games. Whoever has two good days wins the thing,” says Saarbrücken’s coach Taifour Diane.
Broadcast: rbb|24, June 21, 2026, 2:00 p.m Video: rbb|24, June 21, 2026, Jan Ole Behrens
