On Saturday, Holstein Kiel took another step towards the first Bundesliga promotion in the club’s history: KSV deservedly defeated Hansa Rostock 2-0 (1-0) in the second division northern duel and consolidated second place.
The Schleswig-Holsteiners’ success – their 16th of the current season – took shape early on: Steven Skrzybski gave the “Storks” the lead in the 3rd minute after strong preparatory work from Shuto Machino. Lewis Holtby scored the second goal in the second half (57′) after a failed defense by FCH keeper Markus Kolke.
Jonas Freudenhammer, Sportschau, March 30, 2024 3:39 p.m
The three points were well deserved for the hosts: The Rostock team only played on an equal footing in the initial phase, but overall they had little to counter Holstein’s good organization and combination play other than the will to fight. Coach Mersad Selimbegovic criticized after the game that “we made a huge contribution to this defeat” – especially because his team did not make good use of the transition moments at the beginning of the game: “In the end it was a deserved win for Kiel.”
Holstein consolidates second place, Hansa in trouble
For the Mecklenburgers, Saturday afternoon was a bitter one, and not just because of their 15th defeat of the season: Since Eintracht Braunschweig won against SV Elversberg at the same time, the “Kogge” slipped to 17th place – a direct relegation spot. The Selimbegovic team has the chance next Friday to redeem themselves for the largely harmless and unimaginative performance in the Holstein Stadium. Then Wehen Wiesbaden (6.30 p.m., in the NDR Livecenter) comes to the Ostseestadion for the basement duel.
Jonas Freudenhammer, Sportschau, March 30, 2024 3:43 p.m
Kiel, on the other hand, is now eight points ahead of HSV (in Fürth) in third place in the table, at least until Sunday. The Bundesliga promotion scenario is becoming more and more realistic on the fjord. Next Saturday, coach Marcel Rapp’s team can continue to fuel this dream when they go to 1. FC Nürnberg (1 p.m., also in the NDR Livecenter).
Skrzybski takes Kiel’s early lead
It didn’t take three minutes before Hansa’s mini-streak of keeping a clean sheet (twice 1-0 in Braunschweig and against Fürth) was broken – and the KSV played it beautifully. After a quickly taken free kick in midfield, Machino played a fine pass to Skrzybski, who kept his calm in front of Kolke and confidently pushed in from the half-left position.
A cold shower for the Selimbegovic team, who had a great chance to equalize in the 10th minute after a back pass picked up by KSV goalkeeper Timon Weiner in the “Storks” six-yard box: but Kevin Schumacher hit the indirect free kick into the wall, Junior Brumado put it the follow-up shot far past the goal.
Jonas Freudenhammer, Sportschau, March 30, 2024 4:00 p.m
Rothe missed the 2-0 twice
Despite the early deficit: The guests were well in the game in the first 25 minutes, but without creating any compelling opportunities. And second in the table? Staggered closely together and combined dangerously in front of the Rostock goal.
Jonas Freudenhammer, Sportschau, March 30, 2024 3:54 p.m
But Tom Rothe missed the 2-0 twice after a strong save from Skrzybski (28th) and after an assist from Alexander Bernhardsson (33rd). Even though there was no further goal at the break, the KSV got better and better with their fast combination play and went into the break with a deserved lead. After the solid start, almost nothing came from the “Kogge”.
Holtby scores after an unfortunate Kolke defense
Selimbegovic brought in two new offensive players, Nils Froling and Juan-José Perea, for the second half, but his team’s game didn’t get any better. On the contrary: Kiel continued to dominate – and scored their second goal. After a nice relay of passes, captain Philipp Sander slammed the ball firmly but centrally onto the Hansa goal. Kolke let the ball bounce forward, Holtby dusted off – 2-0 (57th).
Jonas Freudenhammer, Sportschau, March 30, 2024 3:58 p.m
The game was decided early. The hosts retreated a little further, but still had no problems with good spacing to nip Rostock’s attacking efforts in the bud. And when the Kiel team won the ball, they let the ball and the opponent run.
The “Kogge” simply couldn’t create more than a half-chance thanks to a Perea side-footer from Froling’s cross (78’). And so the “Storks” were able to celebrate their eighth home win of the season – perhaps their most confident.