Chase for Promotion Heats Up: 1. FC Cologne and Rivals Fight for Bundesliga Spot
Cologne will not ascend to the Bundesliga, as Elversberg harbors aspirations for the top-tier German football league.
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After a thrilling victory last night, 1. FC Cologne is holding its breath as the 2nd league competition unfolds today. SC Paderborn and SV Elversberg's wins could potentially bar Cologne from easing back into the Bundesliga. 1. FC Magdeburg, on the other hand, has had to abandon its promotion aspirations.
SV Elversberg - Eintracht Braunschweig 3:0 (3:0)
Elversberg's dreams of ascending to the football Bundesliga have been kept alive. With their 3:0 victory over Eintracht Braunschweig, the team coached by Horst Steffen secured a spot in the promotion playoffs. They only need a victory next Sunday against Schalke 04 to achieve direct promotion to the top tier.
Fisnik Asllani (11.), Muhammed Damar (18., 21.), and a miss from Tom Zimmerschied (29.), Lukas Petkov (33.), and a near-miss from Asllani (29.) at the start of the match put the hosts in control. Meanwhile, Braunschweig dropped to the relegation playoff spot following the defeat.
SC Paderborn 07 - 1. FC Magdeburg 2:1 (1:1)
Paderborn has displayed remarkable resilience in the nail-biting promotion race, retaining hopes for a comeback to the top tier. In the tense duel against 1. FC Magdeburg, Paderborn emerged victorious with a score of 2:1, silencing Magdeburg's lingering promotion dreams. Calvin Brackelmann (41.) and Felix Goetz (61.) sealed the win, with Martijn Kaars' penalty earlier in the game having provided Magdeburg with the lead.
Paderborn will collide against Karlsruher SC in the season finale, but they'll still need luck on their side, hoping for slip-ups from competitors. Elversberg currently ranks third, with a far superior goal difference, while 1. FC Cologne holds three more points but a lesser goal difference. Hamburg SV has already secured promotion with a win Saturday evening against SSV Ulm (20:30 CET/Sky, Sport1, and live ticker at ntv.de) and could be out of Paderborn's reach.
Football Promotion on the Line After a Dramatic Win: 1. FC Cologne Celebrates "Unreal" Friedhelm Funkel
The pressure of the tight promotion race seemed to weigh heavier on Paderborn initially, with FCM playing better in the early minutes and being awarded an early penalty. However, Paderborn soon took control, outmuscling FCM and creating opportunities. Defender Brackelmann converted one from midfield, and Paderborn appeared more determined after halftime. Another defender, Goetz, scored off a corner.
Fortuna Düsseldorf - FC Schalke 04 2:0 (0:0)
Fortuna Düsseldorf has found its footing and revived its hopes for a Bundesliga return. Under the guidance of coach Daniel Thioune, Düsseldorf managed to edge out Schalke 04 2:0, keeping its faint promotion chance alive. Düsseldorf remains three points behind the promotion playoff spot.
Kownacki (57.) and Myron van Brederode (78.) put Düsseldorf on the scoreboard after a streak of three draws. To qualify for the playoffs, as they did last year, Düsseldorf must win against 1. FC Magdeburg next Sunday (15:30 CET/Sky and ntv.de liveticker) and hope for rival stumbles. Schalke endured their third consecutive defeat following their former coach's departure, but they no longer face relegation threats theoretically.
Düsseldorf dominated the early minutes but was denied a goal by an offside position in van Brederode's goal (13.), which was later disallowed after a VAR review. Schalke soon evened the game but failed to pose a significant threat. Only before the break did Düsseldorf regain control, with Matthias Zimmermann's shot (45.+2) being saved by Schalke's Kaminski on the line.
The hosts continued to dictate the tempo after the break and were ultimately rewarded with Kownacki's header from a corner, visibly emotional after the goal due to a family bereavement. Schalke hardly offered resistance, giving way to van Brederode's late-game goal.
Source: ntv.de, tsi/sid
- 2nd Bundesliga
- Football
- 1. FC Köln
- SC Paderborn 07
- 1. FC Magdeburg
- Fortuna Düsseldorf
- FC Schalke 04
- Hamburger SV
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In the face of intense competition, 1. FC Cologne falters after SC Paderborn's victory over 1. FC Magdeburg, keeping Paderborn's promotion hopes alive. With the 2:1 scoreline, Magdeburg's aspirations for a Bundesliga return have been halted. Paderborn currently sits three points behind 1. FC Cologne, who hold the third promotion spot, with Hamburg SV already securing a spot. Meanwhile, Fortuna Düsseldorf shows resilience and a fighting spirit, edging past FC Schalke 04 2:0. Despite the win, Düsseldorf remains three points behind the playoff spot. The promotion landscape in the 2nd Bundesliga unfolds as Elversberg secures a spot in the promotion playoffs after defeating Eintracht Braunschweig 3:0, and Schalke faces three consecutive losses following their former coach's departure.
