Relegation thriller against Wolfsburg: Promotion is suddenly within reach for Paderborn

As of: May 22, 2026 • 9:25 p.m

With a draw in Wolfsburg, SC Paderborn has put itself in a good position for the relegation second leg. Promotion suddenly seems much more tangible: only a win in front of a home crowd separates East Westphalia from the first league.

Coach Ralf Kettemann gave the motto for Friday and Saturday straight after the final whistle on the sports show microphone: “Shut down”. The players should recharge their batteries after the exhausting season and the 0-0 draw in the first leg of the relegation to the Bundesliga – in order to then complete promotion in the final in front of their home crowd.

“Our goal was to go to Paderborn and have a realistic chance of turning the thing around or finishing it,” said Kettemann. “And that’s how it is now. So we’re happy.” The real final will take place in Paderborn on Monday evening: If the SCP wins – whether after 90 minutes, extra time or the penalty shootout – they will be promoted. Some findings from the first leg showed that this is absolutely possible.

Paderborn can take a lot from the first leg

The goalless draw in Wolfsburg wasn’t a game that was considered a “treat”, but it was one that should give the Paderborn team a boost. Against the favored Wolfsburg, the team from the Bundesliga with the significantly higher budget, the SCP presented itself on equal terms for long stretches. Although the “Wolves” were superior in terms of possession and they created more chances, there weren’t many high-quality opportunities.

“Paderborn defended well,” said Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking, paying respect to the opponent. “They didn’t give us the space like they did in the last games of the second division.” Hecking alluded to wild Paderborn games in the final stretch of the season, such as the 4:3 against Magdeburg, the 2:3 against Schalke or the 1:5 in Elversberg – all games in which the East Westphalians were not defensively sound.

Daghim and Co. largely ignored

In particular, the defensive three-man chain with Calvin Brackelmann, Tjark Scheller and Mattes Hansen put in a stable performance. The massive strikers Adam Daghim and Dzenan Pejcinovic were unregistered for long stretches, and the wild, strong-finishing joker Mohamed Amoura was also barely able to make his presence felt. On the wings, Laurin Curda and Jonah Sticker mostly had the situation under control – until his unnecessary yellow-red card in stoppage time.

Ralf Kettemann, coach SC Paderborn

And when Wolfsburg did get dangerously in front of the goal, there was someone there who had stood out positively throughout the season: goalkeeper Dennis Seimen. The loanee from VfB Stuttgart shone in the one-on-one against Daghim (32nd minute) and, for example, parried Christian Eriksen’s deflected shot (43rd).

“That’s my job,” Seimen’s comment was matter-of-fact. “It’s clear that you can’t defend everything against such a good Bundesliga team. And yes: I was there when I was needed.” How does the 20-year-old assess his chances for the second leg? Also sober: “Good. We now have a home game with our fans who will support us. We will leave everything on the pitch.”

Field superiority Clearly at VfL Wolfsburg

But the truth is that the second division team had a hard time attacking. This is not surprising given the signs, but it was also obvious. Paderborn had good opportunities through Filip Bilbija at the beginning (9th) and shortly before the end (84th), but overall the numbers show a clear Wolfsburg preponderance: with 83 to 30 actions in the opponent’s third, Wolfsburg had a clear increase in shots on goal with 20:4.

Even though Paderborn’s strikers around Stefano Marino remained so pale – partly because they were tied up with defensive tasks – Kettemann was not dissatisfied with the offensive either. “You could have gotten a little more out of it, be it a corner, a throw-in or something else,” said the 39-year-old. “But overall I’m satisfied, especially because we didn’t have a player available in Mika Bauer who is important for our game with the ball.”

Baur returns – with him more offensive power?

The Baur in question was missing from the midfield center due to suspension, but will be on board for the second leg. His return offers further cause for optimism. Nevertheless, it is clear: something has to come together if after six years in the second divisionfootball the return to the upper house should succeed. “One or two braver moments with the ball, plus our audience – then anything is possible,” says Kettemann.

The best conditions for the big promotion finale. Will the East Westphalians get nervous nerves given the magnitude of the moment? Kettemann says no: “In the end it’s like this: The boys are doing well at the moment. They know what they’ve achieved here. That’s a positive energy. So we’ll just let it go.” Shut down, then just let it run – sometimes it’s the simple things that can lead to success.

Our sources:

Broadcast: WDR.deGood starting position for the relegation second leg, May 22, 20265:13 p.m