Elversberger's ambition falls short as Heidenheim retains top-tier status
FC Heidenheim Secures Another Bundesliga Season Through Last-Minute Triumph
In a gripping finale to the promotion and relegation play-offs, 1. FC Heidenheim secured their spot in the Bundesliga for the third consecutive season, achieving a dramatic 2:1 victory over SV Elversberg.
Heidenheim's seasoned coach, Frank Schmidt, led his team to victory despite a brief stumble during the celebration, embodying the emotional spirit of the match. Conversely, Elversberg players and officials were left in tears after a heartbreaking late conceded goal ended their dreams of a first-ever promotion to the Bundesliga.
The decisive goal came in the fifth minute of added time, courtesy of Leonardo Scienza, who displayed individual brilliance to clinch the match for Heidenheim. The team won the relegation return match against the Saarlanders after a 2:2 draw in the home game.
"That was months of work. Now we can put a hook behind the season, that's great. Elversberg gave us everything," said Heidenheim's captain Patrick Mainka after the match on Sat.1.
The encounter took place before 10,000 spectators, with Mathias Honsak scoring for Heidenheim in the ninth minute, followed by Robin Fellhauer's interim equalizer for Elversberg in the 31st minute. Although Elversberg managed to qualify for the relegation as third in the 2nd league, their attempts to secure promotion directly fell short, with 1. FC Cologne and Hamburger SV taking those spots.
Heidenheim had a strong start to the game, with Marvin Pieringer narrowly missing the opportunity to score early on following a chance in the fifth minute. The home team gradually took control of the match in the first half, rewarding themselves with an equalizer in the 31st minute. However, their goal was deemed offside, with no penalty being awarded despite initial suspicions of an interference.
Elversberg's sporting director, Nils-Ole Book, expressed his disappointment with the referee's decision, stating, "Everyone who was on the pitch is a winner. I thought we were clearly better and had more playing opportunities. We were the team that deserved to be in the Bundesliga."
Heidenheim's remarkable season started with a commendable eighth-place finish in the 2022/23 Bundesliga, qualifying them for European competition. However, their domestic performance in the 2024/25 season was less impressive, ultimately leading to their participation in the relegation/promotion play-offs. In stark contrast, Elversberg had an outstanding campaign in Bundesliga 2, finishing third and reaching the play-offs after going unbeaten in their last eight matches.
dpa
(Also interesting, this Outbrain content cannot be loaded due to your privacy settings. Visit the news source URL for additional coverage.)
Football and soccer played significant roles in the dramatic finale of the promotion and relegation play-offs, with 1. FC Heidenheim securing another season in the Bundesliga through a last-minute triumph in a 2:1 victory over SV Elversberg. Despite Elversberg's impressive campaign in Bundesliga 2, finishing third and remaining unbeaten in their last eight matches, their dreams of a first-ever promotion to the Bundesliga were shattered by a late goal by Heidenheim's Leonardo Scienza.
