Eintracht Braunschweig remains part of the 2nd Bundesliga. The Lower Saxony team narrowly defeated SV Wehen Wiesbaden and thus secured relegation.
The cheering on Hamburger Strasse knew no bounds. Eintracht Braunschweig narrowly prevailed against Wehen Wiesbaden 1-0 (1-0) on Sunday afternoon (May 12, 2024) after a tough (survival) fight and thus secured membership in the 2nd Bundesliga for another year ahead of schedule.
To the live ticker: Braunschweig – Wiesbaden Arrow right 33rd matchday Arrow right
It was only at the beginning of November 2023 that coach Daniel Scherning started his job at the traditional Lower Saxony club after the 12th matchday with just five points – and the 40-year-old now managed the sensational rescue on the 33rd matchday (38 points).
Wehen Wiesbaden (32 points), on the other hand, still has to worry about staying in the league and can only defend relegation place 16 on matchday 34. A direct rescue is no longer possible for interim coach Nils Döring’s team.
Patrick Halatsch, Sportschau, May 12, 2024 4:13 p.m
Patrick Halatsch, Sportschau, May 12, 2024 4:11 p.m
“Of course there’s a lot to lose, but we always believed in it,” said Braunschweig coach Scherning at the Sportschau microphone: “I’m happy for the boys because they worked hard and were rewarded today.” Disillusionment, however, in Wiesbaden: “It’s a big disappointment,” said coach Döring: “Now it’s important for us to secure relegation.”
Wiesbaden’s Prtajin only hits the post
Both teams initially felt each other carefully and avoided making mistakes. The hosts had their first major opportunity after seven minutes, but Eintracht striker Rayan Philippe came a little too late and narrowly missed a cross.
On the other side, Wiesbaden had their first good opportunity to score seven minutes later, attacker Ivan Prtajin hitting the outside post from six meters. The Lower Saxony team then tried to take control, but neither Philippe nor defense chief Ermin Bicakcic aimed their headers accurately enough.
Sportschau, May 12, 2024 3:32 p.m
Braunschweig’s goalkeeper Hoffmann prevents an equalizer
After a corner the time had come: Philippe crossed the ball into the center of the penalty area in his second attempt, where Johann Helgason poked the ball over the goal line from close range to make it 1-0 (22nd). As a result, the Braunschweigers tried unsuccessfully to extend their lead, while the Hessians also looked for their chance but couldn’t find any solutions.
After the break, the guests had a great chance to equalize after Eintracht defender Robert Ivanov failed to hit the ball. However, Prtajin failed from six meters away from the strong Braunschweig goalkeeper Ron-Thorben Hoffmann.
Tight, intense battle of attrition
The Wiesbaden team tried everything to turn the game around. Meanwhile, the Braunschweig team played from a compact defense, from which they always wanted to establish their quick switching game.
It was a close, intense battle of attrition in which both teams pushed themselves to their physical and psychological limits. The emotions of the players on both sides kept running rampant and various pack formations occurred. Wiesbaden were unlucky six minutes before the end when Hyun-ju Lee hit the crossbar of the Braunschweig goal with a long-range shot.
The lions from Braunschweig fought and trembled their way to a much celebrated victory against tirelessly fighting Wiesbaden – and to stay in the league.
Braunschweig in Lautern, Wiesbaden against Pauli
At the end of the 34th matchday, Braunschweig travels to Kaiserslautern (May 19th, 3:30 p.m.), at the same time the Wiesbaden newcomers and league leaders FC St. Pauli host.
