Bundesliga 2, Matchday 34: Schalke crowned champions as Elversberg secure automatic promotion, Fortuna Düsseldorf relegated to 3. Liga
Schalke lifted the Bundesliga 2 title, while Elversberg finished runners-up ahead of Paderborn as Hannover missed out on promotion. At the bottom, Greuther Fürth secured a crucial victory to send Fortuna Düsseldorf down.
Schalke 1-0 Eintracht Braunschweig
Goals: 1-0 Aouchiche 36’
Eintracht Braunschweig avoided relegation on the final day despite losing at champions Schalke. The hosts, who were eager to end their season in style, were on top throughout the first half and took the lead through Adil Aouchiche. The visitors had a couple of dangerous moments before the interval, but were pushed back more and more as the second period progressed, and only a combination of the woodwork and Ron-Thorben Hoffmann kept the deficit at one goal. Ultimately, Schalke could not find a second, meaning Braunschweig stayed out of the bottom three entirely.
Elversberg 3-0 Preußen Münster
Goals: 1-0 Conté 10’, 2-0 Mokwa 15’, 3-0 Mokwa 66’
Elversberg put last-season's play-off heartache behind them by beating already relegated Preußen Münster to seal the second automatic promotion place. After quick-fire goals from Bambasé Conté and David Mokwa inside the opening 15 minutes, the result never looked in any doubt. Mokwa added the gloss in the second half as a jubilant Kaiserlinde celebrated the Saarlanders' place in the 2026/27 Bundesliga.
Darmstadt 0-2 Paderborn
Goals: 0-1 Marino 6’, 0-2 Michel 89’
Paderborn dramatically claimed a spot in the promotion play-off by defeating Darmstadt in a high-tempo match at a packed Böllenfalltor. The visitors dominated the early exchanges and took the lead in the sixth minute, Stefano Marino coolly slotting home a Mattes Hansen pass. The hosts responded well but the impressive Dennis Seimen kept their attacks at bay with several good saves. In the second half, Filip Bilbija missed a golden chance to double his side’s lead, smacking a penalty onto the crossbar. The Lilies, meanwhile, pushed hard for an equaliser, but could not find a way past an inspired goalkeeper. A late goal by Sven Michel sealed the win, and that, coupled with Hannover’s draw with Nuremberg, clinched third place and a chance to vie with Wolfsburg for a shot at Bundesliga football next season.
Hannover 3-3 NurembergGoals: 0-1 Zoma 25’, 1-1 Oudenne 30’, 2-1 Taibi 45’, 2-2 Zoma 47’ 3-2 Lochoshvili o.g. 51’, 3-3 Lochoshvili 83’
Hannover twice led Nuremberg but will be playing Bundesliga 2 football next season despite having the promotion/relegation play-off within their grasp. Christian Titz’s men responded magnifically after going behind to Mohamed Alì Zoma’s strike with goals from returnees Kolja Oudenne and Waniss Taibi, and bounced back again after Zoma levelled proceedings shortly after the break. Luka Lochoshvili atoned for his own goal to secure Nuremberg a share of the spoils as Hannover missed out on promotion.
Greuther Fürth 3-0 Fortuna Düsseldorf
Goals: 1-0 Klaus 3’, 2-0 Egouli 16’ (og.), 3-0 Futkeu 36’
Needing a win by three goals over Fortuna Düsseldorf to avoid automatic relegation, Greuther Fürth did just that, condemning Fortuna to relegation to the 3. Liga in the process. Former Düsseldorf man Felix Klaus gave the hosts the early lead at the Sportpark Ronhof and then forced the second as Elias Egouli put into his own net. Noel Futkeu’s 19th goal of the season got that required third to leapfrog Fortuna in the table. He thought he had Fürth’s fourth that would’ve meant outright safety in the second half, but it was ruled out for offside on review, meaning the Cloverleaves will now play against Rot-Weiss Essen in the play-off to try and stay in Bundesliga 2.
Arminia Bielefeld 6-1 Hertha Berlin
Goals: 0-1 Gechter 37’, 1-1 Grodowski 49’, 2-1 Grodowski 59’, 3-1 Momuluh 65’, 4-1 Russo 74’, 5-1 Telalović 90’+2, 6-1 Ulkridis 90’+6
Arminia Bielefeld roared back from behind against Hertha Berlin to ensure survival. The home side began the day in 16th but dropped into the automatic relegation zone when Linus Gechter put Hertha ahead late in the first half, after Michél Kniat’s side missed a number of opportunities. But they put things right after the restart with six second-half goals through Joel Grodowski’s brace and further finishes by Monju Momuluh, Stefano Russo, Semir Telalović and Roberts Uldrikis to claim their 200th victory in Bundesliga 2 and ultimately finish up in 13th place.
Dynamo Dresden 2-1 Holstein KielGoals: 1-0 Vermeij 14’, 2-0 Vermeij 36’, 2-1 Harres 81’Missed penalty: Bernhardsson 45’+4
Dynamo Dresden secured their Bundesliga 2 status in clinical fashion with a fourth victory in six matches. Vincent Vermeij’s first half brace sent the hosts on their way before Tim Schreiber denied Holstein Kiel’s Alexander Bernhardsson from the spot just before the break. It was much of the same for the second period as Dresden dominated possession and chances. Despite a late consolation from Phil Harres, Thomas Stamm’s men held on to leapfrog their opponents on the final day.
Magdeburg 0-1 Kaiserslautern
Goal: 0-1 Ritter (pen.) 63'
Magdeburg missed out on the chance to seal safety with the point they required in front of their own fans, but celebrated their Bundesliga 2 survival regardless as results elsewhere ensure they finish the season in 14th. The hosts pressed throughout, with Mateusz Zukowski having a pair of good chances at the start of the second period, but Marlon Ritter struck to seal a win for Lautern after a penalty was awarded for handball, and they finish the campaign in sixth.
Karlsruhe 1-2 Bochum
Goals: 0-1 Wätjen 4', 1-1 Fukuda 19', 1-2 Kwarteng 70'
Christian Eichner oversaw a home defeat in his farewell match in the Karlsruhe dugout. A tidy goal from Kjell Wätjen gave the visitors an early lead, before Shio Fukuda pounced following a Karlsruhe corner to level. A superb Moritz-Broni Kwarteng strike then saw the visitors grab all three points to finish the season in ninth and send Karlsruhe down to 10th.
Watch: The top 5 goals from Matchday 34
See the final Bundesliga 2 standings here!
