SpVgg Greuther Fürth will compete in the second division next season after overturning a first-leg deficit to defeat third-division side Rot-Weiss Essen 2-0 in the return leg of the relegation playoff.
After securing a narrow victory in the first leg, Essen had harbored hopes of returning to the 2. Bundesliga following years of setbacks, including bankruptcies and sporting failures. However, these aspirations were not realized for the 1955 champions, whose last stint in the second tier was in the 2006/2007 season.
Second division top scorer Noel Futkeu opened the scoring for Fürth at the Ronhof stadium in front of 15,000 spectators (29th minute). Veteran Branimir Hrgota then sealed the win with the second goal in his final appearance for Fürth (47th minute).
Fürth, who proudly lead the all-time second division table, successfully avoided relegation to the third tier for the first time since 1997. Münster and Düsseldorf are the two teams relegated from the 2. Liga, while Osnabrück and Cottbus have been promoted.
Relegation Playoff for the Second Division: Essen Showed More of the Game for a Long Period
«We’re going all-in,» announced Fürth’s coach Heiko Vogel, while Futkeu promised a «fireworks display.» However, the initial stages of the match offered little to suggest this. SpVgg struggled, and their goalkeeper Silas Prüfrock was fortunate to prevent falling behind.
The hosts’ breakthrough came almost unexpectedly, with Futkeu scoring from a scramble in the box. This was the attacker’s 20th goal of the season before his summer transfer to Eintracht Frankfurt. Following this, the second-division side gained momentum and deserved their halftime lead.
After the break, the «Kleeblatt,» who had only secured their playoff spot in the final league game with a 3-0 victory over Düsseldorf, started brightly. Shortly after, Fürth missed an opportunity to put the tie beyond doubt, forcing them to endure a tense final period. RWE pushed forward with all their might, and Torben Müsel missed a golden opportunity to pull one back from a header following a shot against the post (81st minute).
English Translation:
SpVgg Greuther Fürth will be in the second division next season. Thanks to their 2-0 victory in the second leg of the relegation playoff against third-division side Rot-Weiss Essen, the Franconians overturned the 0-1 deficit from the first leg.
After their victory in the first leg, the Essen players had dreamed of a return to the 2. Bundesliga following difficult years marked by relegations, insolvency, and sporting failures. However, this dream did not come true for the 1955 champions, who were last in the second tier in the 2006/2007 season.
Second division top scorer Noel Futkeu gave the «Kleeblatt» (Fürth’s nickname) the lead at the Ronhof stadium in front of 15,000 spectators (29th minute). Veteran Branimir Hrgota scored the second goal in his final match for Fürth (47th minute).
Fürth, who comfortably leads the ‘all-time’ second division table, thus avoided their first relegation to the third tier since 1997. Münster and Düsseldorf are therefore the only two relegated teams from the 2. Liga. Osnabrück and Cottbus are promoted.
Relegation to the Second Division: Essen Had More of the Play for a Long Time
«We will go all-in,» announced Fürth’s coach Heiko Vogel. Futkeu promised a «fireworks display.» However, initially, there was nothing to be seen of that. SpVgg struggled and was lucky that goalkeeper Silas Prüfrock prevented falling behind.
Therefore, the lead for the hosts came almost out of nowhere, as Futkeu scored from a scramble. For the attacker, who is moving to Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer, it was already his 20th goal of the season. Subsequently, the second-division team gained momentum and deserved their halftime lead.
After the break, the «Kleeblatt,» which had only secured its playoff spot in the final league match with a 3-0 win against Düsseldorf, had a lightning start. Shortly thereafter, the Franconians missed the decisive goal and therefore had to tremble. RWE threw everything forward, and Torben Müsel missed a huge chance to score the 1-2 with a header after a shot against the post (81st minute).