The sense of relief was palpable as Eintracht Braunschweig finally got off the mark with victory over Wolfsburg on Matchday 8
The sense of relief was palpable as Eintracht Braunschweig finally got off the mark with victory over Wolfsburg on Matchday 8

Patience a virtue for courageous Lions

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Munich - Good things come to those who wait: just ask Eintracht Braunschweig.

'Really special'

The Lions went into their Matchday 8 encounter at VfL Wolfsburg without a win to their name in eleven matches in all competitions, but came out the other side with their first top-flight triumph of the campaign - and in the Lower Saxony derby to boot.

"The first win of the season is something really special," beamed Braunschweig striker Orhan Ademi after Saturday's 2-0 success at the VW Arena. "Obviously the team were desperate for it after going seven games without a win. We're so happy to have finally won. We now want to take the momentum into the coming weeks."

Despite the result, the Lions remain rooted to the foot of the table, albeit in prime position to pounce on their toiling prey. Only goal difference separates head coach Torsten Lieberknecht's side and 17th-place SC Freiburg, with 1. FC Nürnberg just a point better off in 16th. Unlike Braunschweig, though, not one of the aforementioned duo has picked up a league win this term.

'Phenomenal'


"We're thrilled to have won," said defender Norman Theuerkauf. "I think we've all made a step forward and can go into the international break feeling good. We finally had that bit of luck that had been missing in recent weeks and we scored at the right time. Taking the lead like that gives you a bit of security for the rest of the game. I cannot find any words to describe the support of our fans - it was simply phenomenal."

That's putting it mildly. No matter what the result, the Eintracht fans have been in exceptional voice from the moment the very first ball of the 2013-14 Bundesliga season was kicked, but even they surpassed their own ground-shaking standards on Saturday afternoon, registering an altogether new high on the decibel meter as the Lions gobbled up their first Bundesliga win since 1 June 1985.

'Just crazy!'


"I really don't know what I can say so soon after the game," explained Braunschweig No10 Mirko Boland. "It's just crazy! It's a great load off the mind for the entire city, the fans and the team. I was on my last legs for the final ten minutes, but the coach just yelled I should keep running. I took his advice (laughs)."

Like many of his team-mates, Boland will enjoy a well-earned rest during the international break, safe in the knowledge that Eintracht, for the time being at least, are kings of the regional jungle. Against FC Schalke 04 on Matchday 9, however, Lieberknecht's lion-hearted pride will be expected to roar louder than ever before. The battle of attrition starts here.

Christopher Mayer-Lodge

Why not check out Braunschweig's goals from their historic victory for yourself on the Bundesliga's official YouTube channel?