Holstein Kiel is promoted and creates Bundesliga history.
In an exciting twist of events, Holstein Kiel has made history by being promoted to Germany's Bundesliga for the first time ever. They managed to hold off Fortuna Düsseldorf in their top match on Saturday, ensuring that Düsseldorf won't be promoted twice. If FC St. Pauli wins against VfL Osnabrück on Sunday, they'll join Kiel in the elite league.
Bundesliga, here you come! The northern part of Germany is in disbelief as Holstein Kiel becomes the initial club from Schleswig-Holstein to make it to Germany's top soccer league. Coached by Marcel Rapp, his team sealed the deal with a 1:1 (1:0) score against Fortuna Düsseldorf. This win sent waves across the Förde.
However, things might not be as bright for Fortuna Düsseldorf. With a high chance of needing to battle it out in the relegation play-off, while FC St. Pauli controls their destiny with a second direct promotion spot waiting for them. If St. Pauli gains even a single point on Sunday (1.30 pm/Sky) against Osnabrück, they'll have made it.
Two important goals by Benedikt Pichler (2nd) for Holstein and Christos Tzolis (70th / penalty after video evidence) for Fortuna made this top-of-the-table battle thrilling and decisive. At the end of the game, Kiel proved their team spirit was enough to advance to the first division, marking the northernmost federal state on the map.
Before the match, the stakes were high. With Hamburger SV's unfortunate slip on Friday (0:1) vs. Paderborn, Fortuna could now breathe a sigh of relief as the fourth-placed team in the table posed no threat. It was crucial for Rapp's crew not to get distracted by the historic nature of the moment.
In front of a packed Holstein Stadium with 15,034 spectators, things started off aggressively. Although Kiel took an early lead, Fortuna was awarded a penalty for an alleged handball by Kiel's Patrick Erras shortly after the first goal. Despite the controversial call, referee Sven Jablonski ultimately chose not to award the penalty to Fortuna. Fortuna member Klaus Allofs shared his thoughts on Sky later on, "The ball would've otherwise gone in. That can only be a penalty. This isn't possible."
Kiel then weathered the storm of pressure from the visiting team, trying their best to maintain possession and stay in control until halftime. In the second half, Fortuna grew increasingly bold and risky in their play, culminating in an edge-of-your-seat promotion chase.
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Despite FC St. Pauli's potential promotion to Bundesliga 2, Holstein Kiel's achievement is still noteworthy. As Fortuna Düsseldorf grapples with the possibility of a relegation play-off, Holstein Kiel's victory over them secured a spot in Bundesliga for the first time, making them the first club from Bundesliga 2's northern competition, Holstein-Kiel, to join the elite German soccer league.
Source: www.ntv.de
