Karaman scores twice

©IMAGO

FC Schalke 04 surprisingly ended leader SC Paderborn’s streak and collected important points in the fight against relegation. On Friday evening, in the 4:2 (2:1), the Revierklub achieved their best performance of the season and inflicted East-Westphalia with their second defeat of the season. Previously, the Paderborn team led by coach Lukas Kwasniok had not lost five times in a row. This means the promotion race remains exciting.

Goals from Moussa Sylla (23rd minute) and Janik Bachmann (88th) as well as a double from Kenan Karaman (43rd/69th) ensured Schalke’s victory. The Royal Blues initially moved away from the relegation zone with 16 points after 15 matches. Koen Kostons (11th) and Felix Götze (52nd) scored for Paderborn. Despite the defeat, the SCP remains leader. The pursuers could, however, get closer this weekend.

Schalke secured the victory thanks to a very committed performance, the likes of which coach Kees van Wonderen’s team had not seen in a long time. Overall, Paderborn didn’t come close enough.

Elversberg fools 1. FC Nuremberg and climbs to second place

SV Elversberg inflicted the next setback on 1. FC Nürnberg and climbed at least temporarily to second place in the 2nd Bundesliga standings. Thanks to the 2-1 (1-1) victory of the Saarland team, FCN remains winless in its fifth consecutive championship match and currently misses the promotion zone.

Tom Zimmerschied (44th) and Muhammed Damar (53rd) scored the hosts’ goals in front of 9,323 spectators in the Ursapharm Arena in Kaiserlinde. Jens Castrop (14th) first put Nuremberg in the lead. The SVE now has 25 points, twelfth-placed Nuremberg still has 19.

It was a quick start from both teams. Elversberg got the first big chance thanks to Lukas Pinckert (2nd). But the central defender’s head lands on the inside post. Almost in return, Mahir Emreli was pushed back by Elversberg goalkeeper Nicolas Kristof. Castrop rewarded the guests’ good start by taking the lead.

After that, the Franks fell back further and further, played very passively and managed their advance. The home team took advantage and equalized before the break. Elversberg came out of the locker room under pressure and created new chances. Damar rewarded his efforts with the 2-1. Nuremberg then invested much more and developed opportunities. Elversberg held on and fought for the win.