Newly promoted SV Elversberg continues to collect points diligently to stay in the league. On the 8th matchday of the 2nd Bundesliga, the Saarland team drew 1-1 (1-1) against SpVgg Greuther Fürth.
Manuel Feil (9th minute) gave the hosts an early lead. Branimir Hrgota (14th) struck back for the guests.
With eleven points, Elversberg is tenth in the middle of the table. Fürth, which is still waiting for its first away win in the current second division season, is in 13th place with nine points.
8th matchday arrow right To the live ticker: Elversberg – Fürth arrow right
Elversberg gets off to a shaky start
Elversberg started a bit shaky in front of their home crowd despite three wins in a row, but then struck straight away with their first offensive action. After a quick counter move over several stations, Jannik Rochelt’s cross slipped right in front of striker Feil’s feet and he put the ball ice-cold into the bottom left corner of the goal from ten meters.
However, Fürth did not let this upset them and continued to play forward. Just five minutes after the deficit, Robert Wagner found Hrgota on the left side of the penalty area with a pass into the interface and the striker coldly pushed the ball into the far corner to make it 1-1.
Fürth excitement about handball in the penalty area
In the period that followed, the guests remained the dominant team, although there were no major penalty area scenes. Since Elversberg had difficulty getting into transition moments, it was a moderately exciting game for the spectators until the break.
There was only excitement in stoppage time when the ball jumped on Elversberg’s Kevin Conrad’s arm in the penalty area after a corner. But referee Tom Bauer decided not to call for a penalty. “The ball goes to my hand. I’m happy he didn’t give it to me,” said Conrad after the game.
It didn’t help Fürth’s coach Alexander Zorniger afterwards: “The referee’s statement wasn’t enough for me. Week after week: Some people get the penalty, we don’t. That’s annoying.”
Elversberg becomes bolder in the second half
SVE coach Horst Steffen seemed to have found the right words during the break. Elversberg came out of the locker room more enthusiastic and with more speed. Again and again the Saarland team played well towards the goal. Thore Jacobsen failed with an angled shot from the left past SpVgg goalkeeper Jonas Urbig (58th).
On the other hand, SV goalkeeper Nicolas Kristof defused a header from substitute Lukas Petkov in the final phase (85′). Overall, however, none of the teams managed to force their way towards the goal, so a draw at the final whistle was the logical consequence.
“In the end it was a fair 1-1,” said Fürth coach Zorniger after an “intense game”. His counterpart Horst Steffen had to agree: Both sides created chances and overall it was a balanced encounter.
Fürth against Rostock, Elversberg in Kiel
Greuther Fürth welcomes FC Hansa Rostock next matchday (Saturday, October 7th, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.). A day later, Elversberg travels to the in-form Holstein Kiel (1:30 p.m.).
