2nd division: Elversberg stops Schalke's upward trend
After two recent victories, FC Schalke 04 have suffered another setback in the 2nd Bundesliga. Schalke lost 2:1 (1:2) to newly promoted SV Elversberg on Friday evening and thus remain stuck in the basement of the table. The strong Saarland side, on the other hand, made the leap back into the top half of the table with their sixth win of the season.
Paul Stock (7') and Jannik Rochelt (21') had given Elversberg an early lead. Kenan Karaman (35) scored the equalizer for Schalke. The hosts were the better team in the second half, but were unable to convert their scoring chances.
Unimpressed by the largest crowd in Elversberg's history in the almost sold-out Schalke Arena with 61,110 spectators, the visitors shocked their opponents with two quick goals. Stock took advantage of Schalker's careless defending to take an early lead. 14 minutes later, the goalscorer provided the assist for Rochelt's goal.
Schalke's sleepy start meant that they were always chasing a deficit and for half an hour they were unable to find a way past a courageous Elversberg side.
Schalke improved when Karaman scored the equalizer and from then on, coach Karel Geraerts' team pressed for the equalizer in an entertaining game. Karaman and Henning Matriciani also had several great opportunities after the break, but the goal never came.
Despite the large crowd supporting FC Schalke 04, it was SV Elversberg who continued their winning streak in Bundesliga 2, with goals from Paul Stock and Jannik Rochelt, leaving Schalke struggling at the bottom of the table. The defeat for Schalke marked a setback in their upward trend, despite Kenan Karaman's equalizer in the first half.
Source: www.dpa.com
