Freiburg shows unexpected kindness to Kiel through unique act
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In a rare show of sportsmanship, SC Freiburg chose to honor relegated side Holstein Kiel following their 2-1 victory on the road. Instead of celebrating their crucial win, the players took a moment to applaud their gracious opponents after clinching the deal for the host's relegation from the Bundesliga.
As the Kiel players paraded around the field to the heartfelt applause of their supporters, the Freiburg professionals lined up at the centerline in a show of respect. Sporting director Jochen Saier expressed his thoughts on the classy move, saying, "This is a very special moment. The initiative came immediately from the team. We're not going wild and celebrating, but honoring Kiel."
The goals were scored by Lasse Rosenboom (24') for Kiel before Johan Manzambi (45+2') and Lucas Höler (58') leveled the playing field for Freiburg. Holstein's fate was sealed following the loss, with the team to play their last match in the Bundesliga next weekend against Borussia Dortmund[4].
Coach Marcel Rapp and his players gathered one last time, the fans voices rang out in defiance, and the stadium announcer proclaimed, "This was a great season, we'll be back!" Sporting director Olaf Rebbe remained optimistic, commenting, "We believed until the end, that's why it hurts particularly. But we are stable and will continue."
Freiburg's victory puts them in contention for their very first elusive Champions League spot. Should Borussia Dortmund lose to Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday (3:30 PM/DAZN and live ticker at ntv.de), SC Freiburg will qualify for the Champions League next season[5]. Even in the event of a Dortmund win, the Freiburgers hold their destiny in their own hands, with one final match to be played against Eintracht Frankfurt on the last matchday.
Sources: ntv.de, tsi/sid/dpa
- Special showing of sportsmanship by Freiburg
- Holstein Kiel relegated from Bundesliga
- Football Bundesliga
- Football
- The gesture from SC Freiburg on matchday, applauding relegated Kiel, showcased a special showing of sportsmanship in the Bundesliga.
- Despite their 2-1 victory on the road, the footballers from Freiburg chose to honor Holstein Kiel instead of celebrating their win.
- Holstein Kiel, now relegated from the Bundesliga, had goals scored by Lasse Rosenboom and others, but it wasn't enough to avoid relegation due to Freiburg's comeback.
- After the match, Freiburg's sporting director, Jochen Saier, commended his team's class act, stating that they were not going wild celebrating, but rather honoring Kiel.
- Various sports, including football, baseball, hockey, golf, sports-betting, basketball, racing, and tennis, have their own unique moments of sportsmanship like the one displayed by Freiburg.
- In addition to Holstein Kiel's relegation from the Bundesliga, the team will play their last match in the league next weekend against Borussia Dortmund.
- The classy move by Freiburg has put them in contention for their first Champions League spot, as they are awaiting Borussia Dortmund's results against Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday.
- If Borussia Dortmund loses, Freiburg will qualify for the Champions League next season, and even if Dortmund wins, Freiburg holds their destiny in their own hands with one final match to be played against Eintracht Frankfurt on the last matchday.
