The last matchday before the World Cup is also the end of the first half of the season in the 2nd Bundesliga – and it begins with setbacks in the promotion race. Hannover misses the chance to move closer to the promotion ranks. Deep into injury time, it looks like a draw in Düsseldorf too.
At the end of the first half of the season, second division soccer team Hannover 96 missed another step towards promotion places. The Lower Saxony drew 1-1 (1-1) at Holstein Kiel before the World Cup break and are currently two points behind third-placed 1. FC Heidenheim (30). The storks (25) missed the chance to catch up with the guests with a home win.
Fin Bartels (9th) gave Kiel an early lead in a long, high-class encounter. Cedric Teuchert (16th) equalized for 96 with his seventh goal of the season. Shortly before the end, Hanover coach Stefan Leitl saw the red card for complaining. In front of 13,744 spectators in the Holstein Stadium, both teams looked for a quick way forward and thus offered an entertaining game. The hosts started a little more actively – and were callous after a counterattack. After a cross from Marvin Schulz, veteran Bartels headed into the top right corner in an exemplary manner.
But Hanover was not impressed in the long term, on the contrary. When the Kiel defense went to work carelessly after a throw-in, Teuchert switched at lightning speed and successfully completed the turn. After the break it was still exciting, again Holstein started with more pressure. But then things shifted more towards midfield.
Fortuna Düsseldorf has received the next cold shower in the promotion race. Fortuna lost 1:2 (1:0) against the strong climber 1. FC Kaiserslautern despite being in the lead and has to start a race to catch up in the new year. Michal Karbownik (14th) had brought Fortuna, who had lost 0:2 in Hanover three days earlier, into the lead with a dream goal. Kevin Kraus (50th) scored for the guests to equalize. After Karbownik fouled Lex-Tyger Lobinger, Philipp Klement scored a late penalty for FCK victory (90.6).
Lauterer, who have not been defeated for five years, move up to fourth place with 29 points, Düsseldorf (26) is seventh for the time being. In front of 44,422 spectators in an initially atmospheric atmosphere at the start of the carnival in the Jecken stronghold of Düsseldorf, Fortuna showed a strong performance at the beginning and dominated the game. The one from the English first division club Brighton
Because Düsseldorf missed further opportunities – Marcel Sobottka missed free in front of Luthe (40th) – FCK stayed in the game and showed a lot more offensive after the break. After a corner by Mike Wunderlich, Kraus equalized with a header. As a result, both teams played an even game.
