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

Following 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 from a corner just as the whistle blew (45th minute)—gave the Lions a 2-0 lead.

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

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 recording their fifth straight defeat. With just four points, hope is gradually fading at Havelse.

The streak at SSV Ulm reads just as grim. After a crushing 0-5 defeat at SC Verl, there was no relief in sight for the relegated side against VfB Stuttgart’s reserve team either. The joy over André Becker’s opening goal (19th minute) didn’t last long, as top talent 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 minutes (46th, 54th), securing a 3-1 final score for VfB.

A game was also turned around 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 was also 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 will conclude 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 crisis-stricken 1. FC Saarbrücken to the Tivoli at 7:30 p.m.