Bielefeld slips to 17th place: HSV takes up the pursuit of the league leaders

For Arminia Bielefeld, the crash in the 2nd Bundesliga continues.

Bielefeld slips to 17th place: HSV takes up the pursuit of the league leaders

For Arminia Bielefeld, the crash in the 2nd Bundesliga continues. The East Westphalians lose their basement duel on the 18th matchday and are penultimate. Hamburger SV falters late against Braunschweig, but then secures the all-important victory. FC St. Pauli breathes deeply in the relegation battle.

Hamburger SV - Eintracht Braunschweig 4: 2 (2: 1)

Hamburger SV stays on the heels of leaders Darmstadt 98 in the second division promotion race. The Hanseatic League won the northern duel against Eintracht Braunschweig 4-2 (2-1) and moved back up to second place in the table, just two points behind the autumn champions. The promoted team, on the other hand, remained without a win in the seventh competitive game in a row.

In front of 56,507 spectators in the Volksparkstadion, the hosts set the course for victory in the first half. Robert Glatzel gave HSV the lead after only three minutes from close range, Moritz Heyer (17th) extended the lead with a header. Only after the brilliant goal by Fabio Kaufmann (30th) did the team of coach Michael Schiele, who had extended his expiring contract until 2025 on Saturday, found the game better and was now an equal opponent for the hosts who had been underchallenged up to that point.

After the change of sides, however, Glatzel restored the old lead in the 49th minute with an unstoppable low shot, it was the 29-year-old's 13th goal of the season. However, the guests continued to fight against the defeat, but it was only enough for another goal from substitute Danilo Wiebe (81st), although Braunschweig then pushed for an equalizer. Ludovit Reis (90.2) scored HSV's fourth goal and thus the decision in added time.

Arminia Bielefeld - SV Sandhausen 1: 2 (1: 2)

Setback for Arminia Bielefeld, who have been relegated to the Bundesliga: Ostwestfalen surprisingly lost 2-1 (1-2) in the basement duel against SV Sandhausen, which meant that the guests gave up the red lantern of the bottom of the table. Most recently, there were two defeats for Sandhausen in the old year. Due to the home bankruptcy, Bielefeld slipped to the penultimate place in the table.

Christian Kinsombi (13th) scored the opening goal for the guests, Alexander Esswein (33rd) made it 2-0. Andres Andrade (45.1) scored the connecting goal. Sandhausen achieved their first success on the Alm in the 2nd division, where there had previously been four draws and two defeats in six matches.

In the twelfth minute, Janni Serra had a good chance to score the lead for the hosts. Bielefeld's coach Daniel Scherning pointed out the importance of the game before kick-off. But Arminia struggled with the compact style of play of the guests, there was a lack of surprises in the offensive game of the home side. Sandhausen, on the other hand, repeatedly put pinpricks with fast counterattacks.

1. FC Nürnberg - FC St. Pauli 0:1 (0:1)

FC St. Pauli scored an important victory in the tight relegation battle. In the first game under coach Fabian Hürzeler, the efficient Hanseatic League won 1-0 (1-0) at 1. FC Nürnberg, so they moved ahead of the club (19 points) in the table with 20 points. Jakov Medic's goal (33rd) secured St. Pauli their second win since the fourth match day in front of 30,871 spectators - and their first away.

Against the guests of Nuremberg coach Markus Weinzierl as "strong in play" and "individually well cast" his team initially had little of the game - but the better opportunities. But St. Pauli took the lead - with the first chance: Medic used a cross from Leart Paqarada with a head from five meters and was criminally unprotected by Nuremberg. A few minutes later, defender Jan Gyamerah missed the seemingly safe equalizer (39').

At the beginning of the second half, Nuremberg increased possession and pressure. But they did not get beyond good beginnings. The last, decisive pass didn't want to succeed, in and in the penalty area there was a lack of penetrating power. Goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj, who deflected a shot from Kwadwo Duah past the post (75'), had the best chance to equalize against the well-defended team of the 29-year-old Hürzeler.