Kiel fans in front of the Holstein Stadium during the Kiel – Darmstadt game on May 23, 2021

Kiel fans in front of the Holstein Stadium during the game Holstein Kiel – SV Darmstadt 98 on May 23rd, 2021, the last matchday of the 2020/2021 season of the 2nd Bundesliga.

Holstein Kiel was able to achieve something historic this Sunday: Before the game against Darmstadt, the last game of the season, the Storks were in second place in the table and therefore on a direct promotion path to the first Bundesliga. Historical, because as is well known, Holstein Kiel has never played in the 1st Bundesliga before. At the same time, not a single club from Schleswig-Holstein has made it into the 1st Bundesliga.

The expectations were correspondingly high and accordingly there was a lot going on on Sunday in front of the Holstein Stadium in the Storche’s home game against SV Darmstadt 98. With a win, Holstein Kiel would have been promoted directly to the 1st Bundesliga. And this time, too, no spectators were allowed into the stadium for the “game of games”. All the more Holstein fans gathered in front of the stadium on Sunday afternoon. Around 2,000 to 3,000 fans were at the stadium to loudly cheer on the team.

Holstein Kiel fans 05/23/2021 Holstein Stadium

Peaceful mood at the stadium despite the lost game against Darmstadt

The joy in front of the Holstein Stadium was huge when Holstein took a 1-0 lead. And direct ascent seemed within reach. At the same time, Düsseldorf led 1-0 at Greuther Fürth and promotion seemed almost certain. But then Darmstadt came back into the game, equalized to 1:1 and then even took the lead against Holstein. And in Fürth? There it was suddenly a draw. After 90 minutes then the disillusionment. Kiel lost 2:3 against Darmstadt and Greuther Fürth won against Fortuna Düsseldorf. Thus, Holstein Kiel and Greuther Fürth swap places in the table. Fürth, second in the table, is promoted directly to the 1st Bundesliga and Holstein Kiel, third in the table, has to go into relegation against 1. FC Köln.

According to the police, there were no riots in front of the stadium and one could speak of an overall peaceful operation from the police’s point of view. Here and there some pyrotechnics were ignited and the disappointment after the game and the missed direct promotion was understandably great for all fans at the stadium.

But it’s not over yet. Kiel first has to travel to Cologne next Wednesday and on Saturday, May 29th, 2021, the second relegation game will take place in the Holstein Stadium. Kick-off is at 6 p.m.

Video Holstein Kiel – Darmstadt at the Holstein Stadium 05/23/2021

Photos Holstein Kiel – Darmstadt in front of the Holstein Stadium