Holstein Kiel is still on course for promotion in the 2nd Bundesliga. The Kiel team celebrated a 4-0 win against their pursuers SC Paderborn on Saturday (February 17, 2024) and thus consolidated second place in the table. Kiel are only four points ahead of HSV. The game was interrupted for around 25 minutes due to fan protests against the DFL’s investor plans.
Finn Porath (16th minute), Steven Skrzybski (33rd), Marvin Schulz (52nd) and Niklas Niehoff (90th + 9) scored for KSV, which also underlined its status as the best away team in the league and is now 23rd collected points on someone else’s place.
Kiel coach Rapp: “Deserved victory”
“It was a deserved victory, perhaps a little too high,” said Kiel coach Marcel Rapp to the Sportschau after the game. “The fans can dream of promotion, we have to concentrate on our daily work. Winning every game in the second division is an immense effort. For us it’s game by game.”
For SC Paderborn, where Martin Ens was shown a red card in the 92nd minute, the defeat was a setback after 16 points from seven games. The SCP remains sixth, four points behind third place.
“0:4 is a pretty good score. I won’t pull out too many positive things,” said SCP coach Lukas Kwasniok. “We dominated the opponent in the first few minutes and then we simply forgot that duels are part of the football game. Without the desire to win a personal duel, it’s not possible, especially against a hard-working team like Kiel.”
Kiel too fast for Paderborn
The Paderborn team came into the game much better. Kiel’s goalkeeper Timon Weiner had to save twice against SCP striker Koen Kostons (4th/15th).
But then things went too fast for the Paderborn team twice. In the 16th minute, Shuto Machino forwarded a pass from Timo Becker directly to Porath with his chest. The Kieler scored powerfully and with the help of the right inside post to make it 1-0.
17 minutes later it was Lewis Holtby who sent Skrzybski one-on-one with Laurin Curda with a direct pass from midfield. Skrzybski initially won the duel and then chipped the ball into the goal via goalkeeper Pelle Boevink to make it 2-0.
Christian Schulze, Sportschau, February 17, 2024 4:28 p.m
Just two minutes later, Skrzybski was free again, but this time Boevink saved the SCP from falling even further behind.
Schulz dupes the SCP back team
Instead, the 3-0 came shortly after the break. Nicolai Remberg won the ball in midfield and immediately sent Schulz deep, who prevailed against two Paderborn players and then also defeated Boevink.
The SCP came back for the first time in the 60th minute, but Adriano Grimaldi headed wide from close range.
Christian Schulze, Sportschau, February 17, 2024 4:56 p.m
Long interruption of play after protests
Shortly afterwards, nothing more happened. Tennis balls flew onto the grass from both corners in protest against the DFL’s investor plans. After a first attempt to continue playing failed, referee Patrick Alt sent the teams off the field. A Paderborn delegation led by coach Lukas Kwasniok and sports director Benjamin Weber then sought to talk to the fans directly in the block. After the game was interrupted for around 25 minutes, the game was finally able to continue.
Paderborn once again tentatively pushed for a goal after the break, but weakened themselves in the first minute of the twelve-minute stoppage time. Martin Ens was the last man to hit Holtby in the face with his foot and was shown a red card. Holtby hit the free kick against the crossbar.
The final point was set by Niehoff, who hit the crossbar with a powerful shot in the tenth minute of stoppage time.
Kiel in the top game against St. Pauli, Paderborn in Wiesbaden
Next Friday (February 23, 2024, 6:30 p.m.) the top second division game is coming up for Holstein Kiel when league leaders FC St.Pauli come to the fjord. SC Paderborn is also a guest at SV Wehen Wiesbaden.