Tears flow in Elversberg – Meppen descends
As of 4:36 p.m
Huge joy among the players of SV Elversberg
Source: Getty Images for DFB/Andreas Schlichter
The cheers are huge. Only last year did SV Elversberg make it into the third division, now they can’t really take their first promotion to the second division. Saarbrücken would have to catch up 15 goals in two games.
DSV Elversberg missed out on being promoted to the second Bundesliga for the first time, but can no longer be pushed out of one of the top two places. The Saarlanders played 1-1 (0-0) against their direct rivals SV Wehen Wiesbaden on Saturday and thus consolidated their lead in the table.
That means: Elversberg continues to lead the table with 71 points and will definitely end the season ahead of Wehen Wiesbaden and VfL Osnabrück (both 67) with one matchday left. Only this Sunday does 1. FC Saarbrücken (65) play against Duisburg, Monday Dynamo Dresden (66) against Meppen. With two games left for each of the two clubs, Dresden could still overtake Saarbrücken and draw level.
However, local rival Saarbrücken would have to make up six points and the goal difference, which is 15 goals worse. Despite the late draw, Elversberg’s professionals had reason to be happy – and they celebrated as if the rise had been accomplished. The players hugged each other, tears flowed on the lawn.
Elversberg, the dominators of the first half of the season
Defender Marcel Correia (52nd minute) scored the opening goal in front of 7253 spectators in the arena in Spiesen-Elversberg, but it wasn’t enough for early promotion despite being outnumbered. John Iredale (81st) scored late for the guests from Hessen. After Max Reinthaler was sent off due to an emergency brake (42nd), Wehen Wiesbaden played with ten players for more than half time.
Elversberg can officially be promoted at the earliest this Sunday (2 p.m.) when Saarbrücken plays at MSV Duisburg. Horst Steffen’s team dominated the league, especially in the first half. The club in the 13,000-inhabitant community plans to play in the second division in their own stadium. In the long run, however, the stadium is likely to be too small.
Osnabrück is still hoping, Oldenburg is worried, Meppen is relegated
While VfL Osnabrück has retained its chances of promotion with a 2-0 (0-0) win at Viktoria Köln, SV Meppen can no longer prevent relegation. The Emsländer have already been relegated to the regional league before their game against Dresden, as Hallesche FC won 2-0 (1-0) at Rot-Weiss Essen on Saturday.
For VfB Oldenburg, who will receive the already relegated FSV Zwickau in the Wilhelmshaven Jade Stadium on Sunday (1 p.m. / MagentaSport), remaining in the league is only theoretical. Before the penultimate game, the deficit to Essen in 16th place is six points and seven goals.
