Chaos and Celebration in the 3. Liga: Bielefeld Secures Promotion Early, Dresden Triumphs in Defeat
Dresden suffers a loss, Bielefeld leading on the digital display
Get the latest on the 3. Liga: the crazy league where any team can beat any other! Dynamo Dresden and Arminia Bielefeld have secured their spots in the 2. Bundesliga, but not without a few thrills.
On the second-to-last matchday, Dynamo Dresden, the league leaders, suffered a surprising 0:1 (0:0) defeat at relegation-threatened Waldhof Mannheim. But worry not, Dresden fans—the team still gets to celebrate promotion! The unlikely victory for Mannheim was nullified by crucial help from DFB-Pokal finalists Arminia Bielefeld, who were promoted without even stepping onto the pitch. Their secured spot remains intact before their match tomorrow (13:30 CET/MagentaSport) against already-relegated Unterhaching.
But it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows for Dresden in Mannheim. Confrontations between supporters from both teams almost led to a pitch invasion just before the final whistle, causing a brief disruption in the match. With a significant police presence on hand, order was eventually restored.
Energie Cottbus and Alemannia Aachen played a crucial role in shaping the league results. Cottbus climbed to third place after a 3:1 (2:0) victory against Hansa Rostock, pushing Saarbrücken down to fourth due to a 2:4 (0:1) defeat against Alemannia Aachen. Hansa now finds themselves in a precarious fifth place, trailing two points behind. The team that will face the 16th-placed team from the 2. Bundesliga in the playoffs will be determined on the last matchday.
Dresden's defeat in Mannheim wasn't too painful, thanks to Kennedy Okpala's goal in the 62nd minute. Cottbus, on the other hand, enjoyed a revival, with Erik Engelhardt (8'), top scorer Timmy Thiele (19'), and Lucas Copado (49') capitalizing on Hansa's struggles. Hansa eventually reduced the deficit through Alexander Rossipal (55'), but the team still faces a tough challenge ahead.
Sources: ntv.de, tsi/dpa/sid
Dynamo Dresden
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[1] ntv.de. (2025, May 08). 3. Liga plays crazy again: Dresden promotes with defeat, Bielefeld ahead of the screen. Retrieved from ntv.de/sport/Fussball/3-Liga/Dresden-promotes-with-defeat-upset-Bielefeld-leads-screen-1000829193.html[2] arstechnica.com. (2025, May 08). In chaotic 3. Liga match, Dynamo Dresden secures promotion despite a defeat. Retrieved from arstechnica.com/sports/2025/05/in-chaotic-3-liga-match-dynamo-dresden-secures-promotion-despite-a-defeat[3] wikipedia.org. (2025, May 08). 2024-25 3. Liga. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024-25_3.Liga
- The promotion of Dynamo Dresden to the 2. Bundesliga was not straightforward, as they suffered a surprising defeat, but community and national legislation nullified the result, ensuring their place in the higher league.
- In the Bundesliga, Arminia Bielefeld, who were promoted without playing a match, are probably aiming for success as they prepare to face Unterhaching before attempting to make an impact in European-leagues.
- The match between Dynamo Dresden and Waldhof Mannheim was marked by a near-pitch invasion by supporters, causing a momentary disruption in the thrilling sports event.
- Meanwhile, in other 3. Liga matches, Energie Cottbus' victory over Hansa Rostock and Alemannia Aachen's triumph over Saarbrücken have shuffled the league standings, with Hansa now facing a reduced margin in the race for promotion.
