"Out of sorts following relegation elimination": Shiri's resentment after knockout.
Eintracht Braunschweig Secures Second Tier Survival in Thrilling Extra-Time Playoff
Eintracht Braunschweig have ensured their continued presence in the 2. Bundesliga following a dramatic 2:2 draw against 1. FC Saarbrücken in extra time during the relegation playoff return leg. The Lower Saxony team's victory secures their fourth consecutive year in the second tier.
Benjamin Kessel, Eintracht Braunschweig's business manager, expressed his relief after the match, stating, "I can't find the words. It was an emotional rollercoaster. Whether we deserved it or not, we're staying in the 2. Bundesliga."
Florian Krüger (66.) converted a penalty and Kai Brünker (83.) offered a glimmer of hope for 1. FC Saarbrücken, aiming for a return to the second tier after an absence of 19 years. Yet, it proved insufficient as Eintracht Braunschweig capitalized on two late goals. Fabio Di Michele Sanchez (105+2) and Rayan Philippe (120) found the back of the net, despite Calogero Rizzuto's red card in stoppage time (90+1).
Saarbrücken coach Alois Schwartz voiced his frustration over two critical refereeing decisions post-match. He believed the red card shifted momentum and the extended injury time in the first half of extra time, during which Braunschweig scored their first goal, was unfair. "He shows one minute of added time and plays 2:30 minutes," Schwartz commented, criticizing referee Tobias Stieler. "That's really tough. So little finesse, I find that a bit inappropriate."
Brünker, scorer for Saarbrücken, was crestfallen. "We had the chance to make history and we wanted to give it to the fans. My apologies to the supporters for not returning after 19 years," he said somberly.
Eintracht Braunschweig's management can be satisfied with their decision to terminate coach Daniel Scherning just before the relegation playoffs. Marc Pfitzner steered the team through the two decisive contests against Saarbrücken.
In the first leg played on May 23, 2025, Eintracht Braunschweig came out as convincing winners on Saarbrücken's home turf, securing a 2-0 victory courtesy of Lino Tempelmann and Marvin Rittmüller's goals.
The second leg, played on May 27, 2025, culminated in a 2-2 stalemate after extra time. Saarbrücken managed to score twice, but Braunschweig displayed resilience and scored two goals of their own, sealing a 4-2 aggregate win in their favor. This outcome ensured Eintracht Braunschweig maintained their 2. Bundesliga status for the next season while 1. FC Saarbrücken remained in the 3. Liga.
Football lies at the heart of European leagues, with Eintracht Braunschweig's thrilling extra-time playoff victory securing their fourth consecutive year in the second tier, the 2. Bundesliga. The team's impressive performance against 1. FC Saarbrücken marked a continued success in Germany's football landscape.
