Second division decision made
Crash averted – Fürth wins relegation thriller
Updated on May 26, 2026 – 10:39 p.mReading time: 3 minutes
SpVgg Greuther Fürth is the all-time leader of the 2nd Bundesliga – and can extend its lead in the coming season. Rot-Weiss Essen is left behind.
Thanks to their model strikers Noel Futkeu and Branimir Hrgota, SpVgg Greuther Fürth averted their first fall into the third division in 29 years. After a stuttering start and late moments of trepidation, the all-time league leaders in the 2nd Bundesliga deservedly defeated Rot-Weiss Essen 2-0 (1-0) in the relegation second leg.
The guests from the Ruhr area, who were shockingly weak in the end, squandered their narrow 1-0 win from the first leg and missed the return to the second division after 19 years. The video referee withdrew a supposed goal from Jaka Cuber Potocnik for offside in the 68th minute. After hitting the post, Torben Müsel’s header (81′) failed in front of the empty goal.
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In front of 16,126 spectators, the Fürth team were initially kept in the game by their goalkeeper Silas Prurock. Then Futkeu (29th minute) and Hrgota (47th) gave the Kleeblatt fans farewell gifts with their goals: the two attackers are leaving the Franconians this summer as relegation heroes.
That’s how the game went
Futkeu had worn himself out in the first leg. The 23-year-old attacker, who was crowned second division top scorer with 19 goals, hardly got a chance against Essen due to concerns about a yellow card suspension. This time he showed his class again.
Futkeu, who is leaving Fürth for Eintracht Frankfurt after two years, scored like a real goalgetter from close range. The preparatory work demonstrated the strength of will of the Franks. Captain Branimir Hrgota, who is looking for a new challenge as the club’s record goalscorer after seven years, fought his way into the penalty area on the right side. Felix Klaus just managed to stab his preparatory work to Futkeu. The Fürth fans freaked out for a moment.
“The team has shown character several times during the season and they will do the same today,” said Fürth managing director Holger Schwiewagner confidently before the nerve-wracking game on Sky.
His team, which had only saved itself from relegation on the last match day, initially had more possession of the ball. But the Essenes had a great chance of taking the lead. Gianluca Swajkowski appeared alone in front of Kleeblatt keeper testrock in the tenth minute. But the 21-year-old goalkeeper sensationally blocked the sharp shot from eleven meters.
