Greuther Fürth have retained their 2. Bundesliga status after defeating Rot-Weiss Essen 2-0 in the second leg of their relegation/promotion playoff, securing a 2-0 aggregate victory. Goals from Noel Futkeu and Branimir Hrgota at Sportpark Ronhof ensured Fürth will compete in the second tier of German football for a fifth consecutive season.
The match saw a tense first half with both goalkeepers, Silas Prüfrock for Fürth and Jakob Golz for Essen, making crucial saves. Gianluca Swajkowski and Torben Müsel were denied by Prüfrock, while Fürth struggled to break down Essen’s resistance until Futkeu’s 20th goal of the season. The striker capitalized on a well-worked move involving Hrgota and Felix Klaus to level the tie, shifting the momentum in Fürth’s favour.
Essen’s Kaito Mizuta had a goal disallowed for offside before half-time, mirroring a frustrating evening for Uwe Koschinat’s side. The second half began brightly with Hrgota quickly adding a second for the hosts, curling a shot past a static Golz. Both sides continued to create chances, with Michael Kostka and Sayfallah Ltaief testing Prüfrock, while Lucas Brumme and Dickson Abiama – both substitutes for Essen – came close to scoring.
Despite further opportunities for Essen, including Abiama hitting the post and Müsel’s rebound being saved, Fürth held firm. Mizuta missed a late one-on-one chance, but it proved inconsequential as Fürth secured their victory. The result means Fürth avoid dropping into the 3. Liga, maintaining their presence in Germany’s top two divisions this century.
The game marked the final appearances for both Futkeu and Hrgota in Fürth colours. Futkeu, who finished as a top scorer in the 2. Bundesliga, is returning to Eintracht Frankfurt, while Hrgota departs as a free agent after seven years with the club, leaving as Fürth’s all-time leading goalscorer. Essen, meanwhile, will continue in the 3. Liga for a fifth successive season, missing out on a return to the 2. Bundesliga after a 20-year absence. VfL Osnabrück and Energie Cottbus were the teams promoted in place of Fortuna Düsseldorf and Preußen Münster.
