Hard fought battles all around. Greuther Fürth temporarily takes the lead as the massacred Paderborn in a top match. Bottom clubs also show some life…
2.Liga, Round 21 Erzgebirge Aue - 1860 München canceled Energie Cottbus - Alemannia Aachen 1:1 (0:0) 6,280 FSV Frankfurt - FC Ingolstadt 04 1:1 (1:0) 3,027 Eintracht Braunschweig - Karlsruher SC 0:0 (0:0) 19,000 1. FC Union Berlin - Dynamo Dresden 4:0 (1:0) 18,432 FC St. Pauli - VfL Bochum 2:1 (1:1) 24,257 Hansa Rostock - MSV Duisburg 4:2 (2:2) 9,200 SpVgg Greuther Fürth - SC Paderborn 07 5:1 (3:1) 9,230 Fortuna Düsseldorf - Eintracht Frankfurt 1:1 (0:0) 41,213 1 Fortuna Düsseldorf 21 12 8 1 45:22 +23 44 2 SpVgg Greuther Fürth 21 13 4 4 47:18 +29 43 --------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 Eintracht Frankfurt (A) 21 12 7 2 44:21 +23 43 --------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 FC St. Pauli (A) 21 13 3 5 41:24 +17 42 5 SC Paderborn 07 21 12 6 3 33:22 +11 42 6 1860 München 20 11 2 7 42:28 +14 35 7 1. FC Union Berlin 21 10 4 7 36:32 +4 34 8 Eintracht Braunschweig (N) 21 8 6 7 26:24 +2 30 9 VfL Bochum 21 8 3 10 28:32 -4 27 10 Dynamo Dresden (N) 21 7 4 10 36:39 -3 25 11 Energie Cottbus 21 6 6 9 21:33 -12 24 12 MSV Duisburg 21 5 5 11 27:33 -6 20 13 Alemannia Aachen 21 3 10 8 20:28 -8 19 14 Erzgebirge Aue 20 4 7 9 17:33 -16 19 15 FSV Frankfurt 21 3 9 9 21:38 -17 18 --------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 FC Ingolstadt 04 21 3 7 11 23:41 -18 16 --------------------------------------------------------------------- 17 Karlsruher SC 21 4 4 13 21:44 -23 16 18 Hansa Rostock (N) 21 2 9 10 18:34 -16 15
Düsseldorf and Eintracht Frankfurt met Monday night, and the crowd of 41,000 was probably better than they had when both clubs were in the Bundesliga. (However it is an indication of the Bundesliga recent success, as even the prospect of gaining promotion means big crowds). The match itself was fiercely contended. Frankfurt actually had a slight edge early, but couldn’t make an advantage. After an hour, Düsseldorf was increasingly taking control of the match, and ironically it was then that Frankfurt struck, as veteran Benjamin Köhler received a perfect pass from Alex Meier, and was wide open in front of goal. Fortuna reacted with fury, launching assault after assault on the Eintracht goal. It looked like the visitors would hold out for an important victory. Then in injury time, a disputed call. Beister went down in a clash with Anderson. Referee Brych was going to let play continue, but after consulting his linesman, ruled a penalty. Langeneke put the strike home, and the match ended. Overall, the draw is probably a fair result.
Greuther Fürth was superb as they kicked upstart Paderborn’s ass. The match started furiously, as the teams traded goals, with SCP grabbing the lead after only 5 minutes. (Nick Proschwitz, who leads the 2.Liga with 14 goals). Greuther Fürth wasn’t phased and came roaring back, picking up two in the next 5 minute sequence. From then on, the hosts dominated and Paderborn basically sucked. Outstanding was oldie Gerald Asamoah, who scored his first double for his new club (having signed during winter break). This allows Greuther Fürth to at least temporarily take the lead, and they will be second after the top clash between Düsseldorf and Eintracht Frankfurt on Monday Night Football…
St.Pauli picked up an important win against Bochum. The Hamburgers deserved the win, because they pressed harder. Bochum got themselves in trouble when Paul Freier got his ass tossed, allowing the Paulistas a last sustained run at goal that resulted in the win with about 10 minutes left.
A superb effort by tailend Hansa Rostock, as coach Wolfgang Wolf picks up his first win. Veteran Marek Mintal led the way with two goals, and Hansa had one of their best performances as they beat down the Zebras.
Karslruhe showed their improvement trend might have some staying power, as they held a scoreless draw in Braunschweig. KSC looked like a certain drop candidate, but they’re looking like they want to resist the drop.
Ingolstadt and FSV Frankfurt traded goals in an entertaining match in Bornheim. Niether could afford to lose, and although the draw leaves neither happy, it’s a fair result.
Union Berlin showed who reigns supreme of ex-GDR clubs, at least this season. The hosts ripped Dynamo Dresden’s ass 4-0, reversing the 0-4 from the earlier match in Dresden. However, it wasn’t as easy as it looks. Union pressured, but wasn’t able to make headway until a penalty just before half. In the restart, Berlin then simply overran Dynamo, which disappointed at all levels.