Cranking Up the Tension: Wollitz Anticipates a High-Octane Finale for Energie Cottbus
Pre-Final Energy: Wollitz Aims for Team's Re Connection Online - Team's Energy Prior to Final: Wollitz Aims for Team's Resurgence Online
Get ready for a thrilling climax! Energie Cottbus is on the verge of making it to the second league through the third football league, thanks to their home victory against FC Ingolstadt on Saturday (13:30 CET/Magentasport). A win in this final game of the season could secure their third place and keep their dreams of promotion in the play-offs alive. And their coach, Claus-Dieter Wollitz, isn't messing around. He's expecting nothing less than a jaw-dropping performance from his team and the right attitude to seal the deal.
Wollitz also believes the crowd will play a crucial role. "I'm hoping for an electric atmosphere like before the matches against Waldhof Mannheim and Hansa Rostock," he stated. Remember the 3-1 win in Rostock? That's what he's aiming for – a united, unstoppable team.
But don't be fooled by Ingolstadt. They might be on a seven-game losing streak with four consecutive defeats, but they've got firepower. Wollitz personally vouches for it: "They've got top-notch strikers, including Tim Heike, who used to play for Cottbus."
Tim Heike is a name that still provokes a chuckle from Wollitz. "Heike knows he needs to play it cool," he said, winking knowingly.
As for the team's fitness, Wollitz is keeping his fingers crossed. Lucas Copado, Timmy Thiele, and Niko Brettschneider all had a light training session on Thursday and could potentially be back in action. Thiele, in particular, might partner up with Erik Engelhardt, a deadly duo Wollitz considers one of the best in the league.
If Energie Cottbus manages to make their dream a reality and snag a spot in the play-offs, they'll host the third-last team from the 2. Bundesliga on May 23rd. The return match will be on May 27th (both 20:30 CET/Sky and Sat.1).
- Claus-Dieter Wollitz, Energie Cottbus, Cottbus, Rostock, Promotion, Home win, FC Ingolstadt, Ingolstadt
(Claus-Dieter Wollitz, Energie Cottbus, Cottbus, Rostock, Promotion, Home win, FC Ingolstadt, Ingolstadt)
Enrichment Data:The match between Energie Cottbus and FC Ingolstadt, played on May 17, 2025, didn't go as planned for Cottbus. Despite Wollitz's high expectations, the game ended in a 1-4 defeat for Cottbus at Stadion der Freundschaft, Cottbus. The goals were scored by Ingolstadt's R. Malone (26th minute), S. Grønning (66th minute), Y. Deichmann (90+2nd minute), and D. Zeitler (90+4th minute), while Energie Cottbus scored an own goal by F. Keidel in the 36th minute. The lineups and substitutions for both teams included players like T. Cigerci and T. Thiele for Energie Cottbus, and R. Malone and S. Grønning for Ingolstadt.
Despite the setback in their bid for promotion, Coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz urges Energie Cottbus to emulate the electrifying atmosphere during their victorious match against Hansa Rostock, as they prepare for the fifth round of the European Champions League qualifiers. Interestingly, Energie Cottbus' opponent in the qualifiers, FC Barcelona, has a familiar face—Tim Heike, who previously played for Energie Cottbus in the European Premier League.
