Underdog persists on Day 31 of competition - Dynamo Dresden delivers another standout performance.
Bagging the Crowd Yet Again
Weekend's matches in the third division's 31st round drew a crowd, with keen support from visiting fans adding to the excitement. Let's dive into the numbers from that thrilling weekend.
Three contenders for promotion - Energie Cottbus, 1. FC Saarbrücken, and FC Ingolstadt - all suffered setbacks, while Dynamo Dresden and Arminia Bielefeld shone as the stars of the matchday. Their victories, in part, driven by passionate support from numerous traveling fans.
The 150,413 spectators record from the previous week didn't quite reach this time, mainly due to five teams with relatively low attendance playing at home. One of them was Hannover, but its numbers were boosted by the fervent Dresden fans.
Home games for TSV 1860 Munich, Rot-Weiss Essen, and Alemannia Aachen saw big crowds, while 1. FC Saarbrücken and Erzgebirge Aue's turnout was within their usual range.
Away Fan Showdown
The fans of Waldhof Mannheim were among the first to return home after their away game, while others had to endure longer journeys, with no fan resistance seemingly present. Here's the breakdown of away fans from the 3rd division last weekend:
- Hannover 96 II - Dynamo Dresden: Spectators: 11,980 / Away Fans: 8,000 / Distance Traveled: 371km
- TSV 1860 Munich - Energie Cottbus: Spectators: 15,000 / Away Fans: 1,500 / Distance Traveled: 594km
- SV Wehen Wiesbaden - Waldhof Mannheim: Spectators: 5,417 / Away Fans: 3,000 / Distance Traveled: 91km
- 1. FC Saarbrücken - VfL Osnabrück: Spectators: 13,147 / Away Fans: 1,000 / Distance Traveled: 461km
- Erzgebirge Aue - VfB Stuttgart II: Spectators: 7,212 / Away Fans: 36 / Distance Traveled: 404km
- Viktoria Cologne - SpVgg Unterhaching: Spectators: 6,204 / Away Fans: 92 / Distance Traveled: 579km
- Alemannia Aachen - Arminia Bielefeld: Spectators: 31,400 / Away Fans: 4,000 / Distance Traveled: 254km
- Borussia Dortmund II - FC Ingolstadt: Spectators: 1,634 / Away Fans: 95 / Distance Traveled: 530km
- SV Sandhausen - SC Verl: Spectators: 2,756 / Away Fans: 32 / Distance Traveled: 394km
- Rot-Weiss Essen - Hansa Rostock: Spectators: 18,600 / Away Fans: 1,650 / Distance Traveled: 529km
Dresden Fans Shining Bright
In the dramatic final minutes, Dresden fans held their breath as Hannover managed to score another equalizer, but they ultimately celebrated a 3:2 victory with the team. A grand choreography from the entire guest curve in the first half and a vibrant pyrotechnic display after the break embodied the unwavering support. Undeniably, Dresden fans have long surpassed the third league and deserve a place in the top tier.
Dresden coach Thomas Stamm acknowledged the immense support after the match, stating, "These may well be the best fans in Germany. If they keep turning up week after week, then we have to as well. It showcases the club's potential."
Although no specific data is available for Wigan Athletic, Caen, or other lower or higher division teams, their dedicated followers add colour and commitment to the beautiful game.
- The fans of Dynamo Dresden traveled a distance of 371km to attend the match against Hannover 96 II in the third division.
- Surpassing the third league, Dresden fans demonstrated their unwavering support with a grand choreography in the first half and a vibrant pyrotechnic display in the second half.
- Despite not having specific data for Wigan Athletic, Caen, or other lower or higher division teams, their dedicated followership adds color and commitment to sports like football across European leagues.
- The attendance record from the previous week was not matched during the 31st round weekend due to five teams with relatively low attendance playing at home, among them was Hannover, but its numbers were boosted by the fervent Dresden fans.
