Party after promotion sensation
Holstein Kiel in ecstasy: “They are fearful opponents of FC Bayern”
May 12, 2024, 8:45 a.m
Holstein Kiel has done it: The club from Schleswig-Holstein is promoted to the Bundesliga as the first representative of its state. After the work against Fortuna Düsseldorf is done, the celebration knows no bounds. There is also no shortage of pithy announcements.
Shortly before midnight, Lewis Holtby stood in front of the Holstein Stadium in flip-flops and grinned. The hero from newly promoted Holstein Kiel looked forward to the prominent opponents in the coming season with a beer in his hand. Here’s to champions Bayer Leverkusen, Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund and record champions Bayern Munich. They will all travel to the far north. “It’s just extremely cool. I think we’re Bayern’s feared opponents,” Holtby said flatly and thought back to the 2021 cup sensation: “When Thomas Müller comes in here, he gets flashbacks. I’ll cover Harry Kane.”
Shortly before, the Kiel team had completed the first Bundesliga promotion for a team from Schleswig-Holstein with a 1-1 draw against Fortuna Düsseldorf. “Amazing, such a beautiful state and I am proud and grateful to be part of history,” said Holtby. Meanwhile, coach Marcel Rapp spoke of “indescribable feelings” shortly before he received a “beer shower” from his players at the press conference. Rapp had led a newly formed team to a major coup and, like his players, was looking forward to a long night of promotion. Captain Philipp Sander made a clear announcement on Sport1: “I won’t sleep today and anyone who goes to bed before three or four o’clock today, I have to have a serious word with them tomorrow.”
“Excellent because nobody had us on their radar”
Thousands of fans, drunk with joy, celebrated the historic promotion in front of the stadium and in the city. When the final whistle blew, fireworks were set off. Numerous supporters stormed the pitch. Later, motorcades began heading into the city center. Even the police officers seemed to be infected by the joy of the celebrants and, some of them in a good mood, kept order. As a police spokeswoman said, there were also individual throwing of bottles during the celebrations. A police officer was hit in the shoulder – but he was able to continue his duties uninjured. Overall, the atmosphere in front of the stadium was very relaxed. “That’s outstanding. That’s outstanding because nobody had us on their radar,” said outgoing sports director Uwe Stöver at Sport1.
“It’s unbelievable: Kiel has been promoted to the first league,” said Kiel Mayor Ulf Kampf. It is a historic success for the club, the city and the whole of Schleswig-Holstein. The state capital itself is planning an ascension celebration on Whit Monday (May 20th). State Parliament President Kristina Herbst also sent congratulations: “What a game and what a special moment. I really have goosebumps.” The entire state parliament is already looking forward to the coming season in the upper house of football.
Until now, the THW Kiel handball players have been the city’s sporting flagship. They are German record champions with 23 titles and have also won the Champions League four times. On Saturday evening the handball players were happy with the Kiel footballers. “Today is a historic day for Kiel sport,” said managing director Viktor Szilagyi. “From now on we are first class in our city in the two biggest sports in Germany. THW Kiel warmly congratulates KSV Holstein, the players, head coach Marcel Rapp and all those responsible around ex-Zebra Wolfgang Schwenke on their deserved promotion.”