Elversberg squandered a golden opportunity to secure promotion, falling 3-1 (0-2) at relegation-threatened Fortuna Düsseldorf on the penultimate matchday of the 2. Bundesliga. A win would have almost guaranteed the Saarland side direct promotion due to their superior goal difference, but instead they remain level on 59 points with rivals Hannover and Paderborn. Despite the loss, Elversberg still controls their own destiny: a home victory against Preußen Münster on the final day would secure promotion.
Fortuna Düsseldorf, meanwhile, moved out of the relegation zone with the win and positioned themselves favorably for a decisive relegation battle at Fürth. Münster, after drawing 1-1 with Darmstadt 98, have been confirmed as the first team to drop to the 3. Liga.
An own goal from Elversberg defender Florian Le Joncour (26th minute) following a sharp cross from Marin Ljubicic gave Düsseldorf the lead. The hosts dominated the first half, and Cedric Itten added a second with a header just before halftime (43rd). After the break, Itten capitalized on an error by Elversberg goalkeeper Nicolas Kristof to score his second of the game in the 51st minute. Elversberg pulled one back through another own goal, this time from Tim Oberdorf after a corner (90+1). Itten received his fifth yellow card of the season for a foul in midfield and will miss the crucial final-day trip to Fürth.
Preußen Münster, returning to the 2. Bundesliga just two years ago after a three-decade absence, are relegated after failing to close the gap to the relegation playoff spot. In front of 9,865 fans at the Preußenstadion, Shin Yamada scored for Münster in the 8th minute, but Isac Lidberg equalized for Darmstadt in the 15th. Münster captain Jorrit Hendrix was sent off in the 28th minute for a rough foul. Darmstadt had a penalty saved by Münster goalkeeper Johannes Schenk in the 37th minute. Despite a long push for promotion, Darmstadt has now gone eight games without a win and can finish no higher than fifth.
Greuther Fürth also faces near-certain relegation to the third division after nearly 30 years in professional football. The Cloverleafs failed to capitalize on an hour of play with a man advantage, losing 2-1 to Hertha BSC (0-0 at halftime) and former coach Stefan Leitl. Fürth enters the final matchday in 17th place, two points behind Arminia Bielefeld in the relegation playoff spot. Düsseldorf and Braunschweig are three points clear of Fürth, and all three teams have a superior goal difference.
In Berlin, Fürth had a golden opportunity after Josip Brekalo was sent off in the 32nd minute, but the hosts took the lead through 16-year-old Kennet Eichhorn (55th minute), becoming the youngest goal scorer in 2. Bundesliga history. Michaël Cuisance scored Hertha’s second in the 84th minute.
