Darmstadt 98 provides a big surprise
Promoted Darmstadt 98 have hardly put any points on the Bundesliga clock in recent weeks. In the last game of the year, however, the team put down a powerful marker and took points away from Hoffenheim. Tim Skarke was the match-winner.
With great morale and outstanding comeback qualities, Darmstadt 98 picked up a surprising away point at the end of the Bundesliga season. The Lilies fought their way to a 3:3 (1:2) draw at TSG Hoffenheim despite trailing three times, but have now gone nine games without a win. With ten points to their name, the fight to stay up will be a Herculean task for the promoted team. Luca Pfeiffer (23) and Tim Skarke (57/85) scored for the visitors. Hoffenheim (24 points) suffered a setback in their fight for a European Cup place. Ihlas Bebou's brace (26th/66th) and Andrej Kramaric's goal (14th, penalty) did nothing to change that.
"It's annoying that we haven't picked up enough points from many games that were close," said Darmstadt coach Torsten Lieberknecht on Sky shortly before kick-off: "We want to remain courageous and show a good structure. Our declared goal is three points." In front of just 18,125 spectators, the hosts pressed for a quick lead. Things got dicey in the Darmstadt penalty area on several occasions. Kramaric missed the best chance in the early stages with a header (8').
Shortly afterwards, the Croatian did better from eleven meters. The penalty kick was preceded by a chain of mistakes by Darmstadt: first goalkeeper Marcel Schuhen came out of his box overzealously, then Klaus Gjasula fouled TSG attacker Bebou. The understrength Lilies were only briefly shocked. They were missing eight professionals - Fabian Holland, Fraser Hornby, Braydon Manu, Marvin Mehlem, Fabian Nürnberger, Aaron Seydel, Oscar Vilhelmsson and Christoph Zimmermann. Pfeifer nevertheless equalized after a strong combination.
Just 67 seconds later, Grischa Prömel should have put Hoffenheim back in front, but the midfielder pushed the ball over from close range. Despite this moment of shock, Darmstadt played well - until they suffered another defensive blackout: Bebou thanked them. However, the Hessians coped well with this further blow and the equalizer was in the air. Hoffenheim, who had to make do without Wout Weghorst and the long-term injured Mergim Berisha, Dennis Geiger and Marco John, conceded a lot. The Kraichgauers only regained control towards the end of the first half.
In the second half, the home side were again far too passive and Skarke punished them after Pfeifer's assist. Bebou put TSG ahead for the third time with his second goal. John Anthony Brooks missed a great chance to put the game beyond doubt (80'). Ozan Kabak made a disastrous mistake before making it 3:3.
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Despite their nine-game winless streak in the Bundesliga, promoted SV Darmstadt 98 managed to secure an impressive 3-3 draw against 1899 Hoffenheim, ending the Year with a notable result in the Soccer league. Tim Skarke's late goal was crucial in Darmstadt's comeback, while Hoffenheim's European Cup aspirations took a hit with this result.
Source: www.ntv.de
