Sport: With power in the 2nd league: Würzburg celebrates march through

2016-05-25 11:27:36

climbers

Coach Bernd Hollerbach happily hugged his players after Würzburg’s promotion. Photo: Roland Weihrauch

(Photo: dpa)

Through the 2:1 “Never more 3rd division” sang the footballers from Lower Franconia after the perfect promotion to the 2nd division, formed a polonaise and merrily walked through the catacombs of the Duisburg stadium with beer glasses in hand. “This is a special day for the club and a special moment for me. I’m incredibly proud of this team,” said Kickers coach Bernd Hollerbach.

With the 2:1 (1:1) success in the relegation second leg at MSV Duisburg, the club managed to progress from the regional league to the second division within a year after the 2:0 win in the first leg. The Duisburg team, on the other hand, are relegated to the third division after 1986 and 2013 and plan to return quickly. “Our goal will be to get back up to where we at least belong,” explained Managing Director Bernd Maas. In order to receive the third division license from the German Football Association, MSV still has to solve financial problems and meet conditions by the end of May.

For Würzburg, the 3rd league is history again just one year after promotion from the Regionalliga Bayern. Twelve years ago, the Kickers played in the district league, next season teams like VfB Stuttgart or the Franconian neighbors 1. FC Nürnberg will be visiting the Würzburg stadium. “Both relegation games together, promotion is well deserved. It’s an awesome squad. There is a very special energy in the team,” said Hollerbach.

His team, which has remained unbeaten in 14 games in a row and has won eleven times, impressed with their compact appearance and power in the decisive moments. In front of 29,500 spectators, Elia Soriano (37′) and Rico Benatelli (90’+2) scored the goals. An own goal by Schoppenhauer gave MSV the opening goal (33rd).

Hollerbach in particular made the miracle of Würzburg possible. In 2014 he returned to his home club. “The coach always taught us that if we work hard week after week, we will be rewarded. That made us self-confident,” said defender Clemens Schoppenhauer. Hollerbach, whose parents run a butcher shop in Würzburg, said: “I’m glad that I can give something back to the club.”

Now the Kickers want to play a good role, even after the presentation of the Mayor of Würzburg, Christian Schuchardt. “MSV Duisburg was just a foretaste. Large traditional clubs such as 1. FC Nürnberg, 1860 Munich or FC St. Pauli will now compete with Würzburg am Dallenberg every two weeks. These established sizes will first have to develop a successful strategy against the well-sorted defense of the Hollerbach squad,” he said in a letter of congratulations.

Meanwhile, defeated MSV is trying to look ahead. “I’m just sorry for everyone here from the club, but we’ll do everything we can to come back quickly because MSV doesn’t belong in the 3rd division,” said coach Ilia Gruew. The fact that Duisburg, who had been beaten in the second division table for a long time, was able to achieve relegation at all by catching up was impressive. For a renewed energy performance in the relegation, the strength was missing.