"Salute to the Foes" SC Freiburg's Unlikely Tribute to Stricken Kiel
Kiel gets an unexpected act of kindness from Freiburg
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In the heat of their recent triumph over Holstein Kiel, SC Freiburg didn't rush to indulge in self-celebration, instead, they chose to acknowledge their recently defeated rivals. This decisive away win not only brought SC Freiburg closer to their unprecedented Champions League qualification but also signaled an extraordinary gesture as Kiel suffered relegation from the Bundesliga after just a single season.
After Lasse Rosenboom scored the opening goal in front of the 15,034 spectators at the sold-out Holstein Stadium (24th minute), the tables turned rapidly; Johan Manzambi leveled the game on the brink of halftime (45+2), and Lucas Höler secured the host's fate with another goal (58.). With Schleswig-Holstein's first Bundesliga team set to bid farewell from the top tier next Saturday against Borussia Dortmund, their fate was sealed.
Despite having every reason to bask in their victory, Freiburg's players took a moment to show their appreciation for Kiel. Following the defeated team's lap of honor, the SC professionals lined up on the center line and applauded Kiel's players in a heartfelt display of sportsmanship.
"This was a unique moment," explained Freiburg's sporting director, Jochen Saier, on Sky. "The impulse stemmed straight from the team. We're not going wild with our own celebration, but honoring Kiel."
As the Kiel players returned to the locker room, coach Marcel Rapp gathered his troops, and the fans refrained from despair, singing defiant tunes instead. Olaf Rebbe, Kiel's sport director, expressed conflicting emotions. "We fought hard until the end, making the disappointment particularly bitter," he said. However, he added, "We're a stable club and moving forward."
Freiburg now harbors dreams of their first Champions League participation. If Borussia Dortmund fails against the dethroned champion, Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday (3:30 PM CET/DAZN and live ticker on ntv.de), the Breisgauer will play in the prestigious tournament next season. Even if Dortmund wins, SC can still secure their Champions League position: with Eintracht Frankfurt visiting them on the last matchday.
- SC Freiburg
- Holstein Kiel
- Football Bundesliga
- Football
While the exact reasons behind Freiburg's gesture remain unclear, it's not uncommon for teams to demonstrate respect to opponents who face significant setbacks. Such a gesture highlights the spirit of sportsmanship and the camaraderie among players and teams across the globe. Though the Freiburg players and management did not provide explicit reasons for their act, their gesture is a beautiful testimony to the essence of competition and sports.
- Encompassing their recent victory, SC Freiburg chose to acknowledge their rivals, Holstein Kiel, who were relegated from the Bundesliga after just a single season.
- During the matchday, following the defeated team's lap of honor, the SC Freiburg professionals lined up on the center line and applauded the Kiel players in a heartfelt display of sportsmanship.
- Vocational training and community aid can be essential for footballers after their playing careers, as evidenced by the spirit of camaraderie shown by SC Freiburg.
- Sportsmanship and the essence of competition in football were beautifully demonstrated by SC Freiburg's remarkable gesture, echoing the spirit of vocational training and cooperation that transcends the pitch.
