VfL Bochum and Greuther Fürth promoted to the Bundesliga after thrilling final day
By Tushar Bahl
VfL Bochum and Greuther Fürth have been promoted to the Bundesliga after a dramatic final day in the second division of German football.
Greuther Fürth began the day in third place, a point behind Holstein Kiel. But after a topsy-turvy final day of the season, they are heading back to the Bundesliga for the first time since the 2012/13 season.
Fürth fell behind to Fortuna Düsseldorf in the first half, and then must have thought that their hopes of winning automatic promotion were all but over when midfielder Anton Stach was sent off. But they managed to get back on level terms twice in the second half, before Dickson Abiama’s 83rd minute winner sealed an incredible 3-2 win.
Fürth still needed Holstein Kiel to drop points. And the DFB-Pokal semi-finalists suffered a 3-2 defeat at home to SV Darmstadt. Kiel will now play FC Köln in a two-legged promotion/relegation play-off next week.
Joining Greuther Fürth in the Bundesliga next season will be VfL Bochum, who sealed their promotion with a 3-1 win over SV Sandhausen on the final matchday of the season. Bochum began the day in first place in the 2. Bundesliga standings, and late goals from Anthony Losilla and Robert Žulj helped them clinch the title.
Bochum are back in the Bundesliga for the first time since the 2009/10 season. And their promotion means that Borussia Dortmund will play a Ruhr derby next season despite Schalke’s relegation.
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Bochum’s 2. Bundesliga title win sparked great scenes as fans took to the streets to celebrate their team’s success. There were incredible scenes in Fürth as well, as the players rushed to celebrate with the fans who had gathered outside the stadium.