Niederlechner with a three-pack
Worry striker leads Hertha to a landslide victory
December 3rd, 2023, 3:29 p.m
After three draws, Hertha BSC once again managed a victory in the 2nd Bundesliga – and what a win. Newly promoted SV Elversberg has to suffer especially from Florian Niederlechner. Paderborn can prevail against Hannover very late, Karlsruhe and Rostock have to accept a turbulent draw.
SC Paderborn – Hannover 96 1:0 (0:0)
SC Paderborn remains the feared opponent of Hannover 96. The Lower Saxony team were also unable to win their ninth duel with East Westphalia and lost 0-1 (0-0) after being outnumbered for 70 minutes. It was the first defeat in the second division after three games for 96, which missed the jump to sixth place.
The Hanoverian Louis Schaub was shown an early red card for serious foul play (20th). Referee Robin Braun had initially shown Marcel Hoffmeier a yellow card after he got in with an open sole on the sideline, but was changed by the TV images. Florent Muslija (90+1.) scored late for the SCP’s first win after two tough defeats.
Paderborn’s coach Lukas Kwasniok, who extended his contract until 2025 during the week, reacted to the recent defeats and made seven changes compared to the 1:4 in Elversberg. At 23.79 years old, the SCP had the youngest starting eleven in its second division history and started boldly.
Kai Klefisch (2nd) hit the crossbar with his head. After the sending off, Paderborn became increasingly superior with debutants Pelle Boevink in goal and striker Moritz Flotho, but lacked speed and creativity in attack. In the second half, the hosts increasingly took more risks. Florent Muslija (47th) and Sebastian Klaas (61st) missed good chances. On the other hand, Fabian Kunze (78th) had a rare opportunity for the guests, but allowed himself one catch too many.
Karlsruher SC – Hansa Rostock 2:2 (1:2)
Karlsruher SC and Hansa Rostock remain in the bottom of the table. The Baden team made up a temporary 0-2 deficit on matchday 15 and drew 2-2 (1-2) with Rostock, who had the same number of points. Junior Brumado (16th) and Damian Roßbach (34th) put Rostock in the lead. Igor Matanovic (45th) and top joker Budu Siwziwadze (81st) ensured the final score.
The 23,159 spectators in the wildlife park saw a game without a real highlight in the first quarter of an hour. The defensive lines on both sides had everything under control. The first chance of the encounter led to Rostock taking the lead through Brumado. Ten minutes later, Kai Pröger almost increased the guests’ lead, goalkeeper Patrick Drewes saved for the KSC. A little later Roßbach did better. Matanovic brought the hosts back into the game shortly before half-time.
At the beginning of the second half, KSC pushed for an equalizer. Rostock remained dangerous on the counterattack, with Pröger testing Drewes again (57′). Five minutes later, Matanovic should have equalized after a mistake by Roßbach, but the striker missed miserably.
Shortly afterwards, KSC was lucky when Brumado’s goal did not count due to a previous foul according to video evidence (63′). The decision by referee Deniz Aytekin (Oberasbach) was controversial. In the 72nd minute Roßbach missed the great chance for the third Hansa goal. On the other side, Zivzivadze poked the ball over the line.
Hertha BSC – SV Elversberg 5:1 (2:1)
Relegated Hertha BSC is still on the rise. The Berliners won furiously with 5:1 (2:1) against newly promoted SV Elversberg and jumped into the top half of the table after three draws in a row. The SVE, on the other hand, failed to establish contact with the promotion places.
Linus Gechter (13th), Florian Niederlechner (24th, 61st, 67th) with a hat-trick and Jonjoe Kenny (71st) scored in sub-zero temperatures in the Berlin Olympic Stadium to win for the hosts, who are now in eighth place with 21 points improved. Elversberg, for whom Thore Jacobsen (15th) equalized, is three points ahead.
The Saarlanders, who started the season strongly, got into the game better; an early goal from Bayern loanee Paul Wanner (4th) was canceled out due to a handball. Even after that, the Berliners had problems defensively, but Gechter scored out of nowhere after a long throw-in to take the lead.
But the guests responded promptly, Jacobsen scored from a long distance. An open exchange of blows developed, Niederlechner, who had previously scored just two goals in the league, scored from close range. After the break, Hertha turned things around within ten minutes.