3. Liga Goes Crazy Continues: Dresden Promotes Despite Defeat, Bielefeld Clinch Promotion
Dresden experiences a loss; Bielefeld awaits victory on the screen
In the unpredictable world of the 3. Liga, anything can happen. And so it did on the penultimate matchday. Dynamo Dresden lost to relegation-threatened Waldhof Mannheim, but still won promotion. Arminia Bielefeld didn't even have to play to secure their spot.
Dresden's promotion was overshadowed by chaotic scenes. Fans of both teams almost stormed the pitch just before the final whistle. Referee Lukas Benen had to temporarily halt the game for about ten minutes, and a heavy police presence was required to restore order after the game, with officers even deploying horses onto the field.
Although Dresden lost, they could afford to due to other results. Bielefeld had already secured a top-two finish before their game against relegated bottom side Unterhaching tomorrow (13:30 CET/MagentaSport).
Critical assistance came from Energie Cottbus and Alemannia Aachen. While Cottbus moved into third place with a 3:1 (2:0) victory over Hansa Rostock, 1. FC Saarbrücken slipped to fourth following a 2:4 (0:1) defeat at Alemannia Aachen. Saarbrücken trails by two goals on goal difference. Hansa, currently fifth, face a steep challenge in the promotion race.
Dresden's loss in Mannheim came thanks to Kennedy Okpala's goal in the 62nd minute, but Rostock experienced a setback in their promotion aspirations. Timmy Thiele (19.) and Lucas Copado (49.) scored for Cottbus, while Alexander Rossipal pulled one back for Hansa.
As of early May 2025, in the German 3. Liga season 2024-2025:
- Dynamo Dresden earned promotion to the 2. Bundesliga despite a defeat to Waldhof Mannheim and sits at the top of the league table with 36 games played[4].
- Arminia Bielefeld has also secured promotion by finishing in second place after 36 games[4].
The current standings at the top of the 3. Liga table, based on the data from May 7, 2025, are as follows:
- Dynamo Dresden – Promoted
- Arminia Bielefeld – Promoted
- Saarbrücken
- Hansa Rostock
When it comes to promotion in the 3. Liga, the top two teams earn automatic promotion to the 2. Bundesliga, while the third-place team typically enters a promotion play-off to vie for a promotion spot. With Dynamo Dresden and Arminia Bielefeld in the top two, they are directly promoted for the next season. It appears that Saarbrücken could enter the promotion play-offs[4].
So, Dynamo Dresden (1st) and Arminia Bielefeld (2nd) have secured automatic promotion from the 3. Liga, while Saarbrücken (3rd) looks set to compete in the promotion play-offs[4].
- The community and national legislation in Germany, with its system of promotion and relegation, likely played a significant role in Arminia Bielefeld and Dynamo Dresden's successful seasons in the 3. Liga.
- In the Bundesliga, renowned for its competitive nature, the promotion of Dresden to the 2. Bundesliga signifies a significant climb in the European football leagues.
- The promotion of Arminia Bielefeld and Dynamo Dresden underlines the importance of sportsmanship and teamwork, as these values have undoubtedly contributed to their success.
- As fans eagerly await the upcoming Bundesliga season, the whistle will sound a new beginning for Dresden and Bielefeld, who have certainly earned their place among the top tier of German football.
