Matchday 13 of the 3. Liga: MSV Duisburg Back on Top; Racist Insults Overshadow 1860’s Victory; Crises at Ulm and Havelse Come to a Head; Crazy Seven-Goal Match in Aue.

After a lackluster, scoreless draw at VfL Osnabrück, MSV Duisburg is back on top of the table (see match report). This is because the previous leader, Energie Cottbus, suffered a defeat in Munich against 1860. A quick-fire double just before halftime by Thore Jacobsen—first from the penalty spot (39th minute), then off a corner kick as the halftime whistle blew (45th minute)—gave the Lions a 2-0 lead.

However, the 1860 victory was overshadowed by a lengthy interruption in the second half. Racist insults were directed at Justin Butler, reportedly including monkey chants. The fan in question was ejected from the stadium, after which play resumed. The 3-0 score following an own goal by King Manu (82′) thus became a side note.

While the race at the top remains tight, the gap between TSV Havelse—second-to-last in the standings—and safety is growing ever wider. At the Eilenriedestadion in Hanover, TSV once again came away empty-handed against SV Wehen Wiesbaden, losing 0–2 and suffering their fifth straight defeat. With just four points, hope is gradually fading for Havelse.

SSV Ulm’s losing streak reads just as grim. After a crushing 0–5 loss to SC Verl, the relegated team couldn’t find a way past VfB Stuttgart’s reserve squad either. The joy over André Becker’s opening goal (19th minute) didn’t last long, as top prospect Noah Darvich equalized before halftime (29th minute). Immediately after the restart, the Spatzen were dealt a cold shower: Mansour Ouro-Tagba turned the game on its head within a few minutes (46th, 54th), sealing a 3–1 victory for VfB.

A game was also turned on its head in Saxony. FC Erzgebirge Aue took the lead twice (45+1., 54.), and the visitors from SSV Jahn Regensburg managed to equalize both times (45+6., 60.). Benedikt Bauer then scored to give the visitors from the Palatinate their first lead (68.).

But this lead, too, was short-lived. Shortly before the end, Jonah Fabisch scored the 3–3 equalizer for Aue (86′). And just when everyone thought the match would end in a draw, Erik Weinhauer stepped up, becoming the big hero in the Erzgebirge with his goal to make it 4–3 in the 90+5th minute. Ecstasy in Aue! The match wasn’t even restarted!

Earlier on Friday evening, Viktoria Köln hosted FC Ingolstadt and, following a 3–1 home win, re-established contact with the top of the table. The matchday wraps up on Sunday when Waldhof Mannheim visits TSG Hoffenheim II (1:30 p.m.). Rot-Weiss Essen hosts bottom-of-the-table 1. FC Schweinfurt (4:30 p.m.), and Alemannia Aachen welcomes the struggling 1. FC Saarbrücken to the Tivoli at 7:30 p.m.