Fortuna Düsseldorf are on course for the promotion places, while Bundesliga relegated Bielefeld and Fürth are failing to get going in the 2nd division.

With refreshing attacking football and impressive home strength, Fortuna Düsseldorf have risen to become a contender for one of the promotion places in the 2nd Bundesliga. The Rhinelanders, who have been undefeated in front of their home crowd for more than eight months, scored a 4:1 (1:1) victory over Bundesliga relegated Arminia Bielefeld on Saturday and moved up to fourth place.

Youngster Shinta Appelkamp was particularly impressive, scoring twice (21st minute/66th) and providing an assist. “It was fun today. The balls came to me well, I just had to put them in. We are a real power at home,” said Appelkamp after the game. The other goals for Düsseldorf, who were missing eight injured professionals, were scored by Japanese international Ao Tanaka (47th) and Tim Oberdorf (76th).

Alongside Bielefeld, who have been winless away from home for nine months, the second team to be relegated from the Bundesliga, SpVgg Greuther Fürth, is also stuck in the bottom of the table. They only managed a 1-1 (0-1) draw against SV Sandhausen thanks to Julian Green’s equaliser in the 48th minute. Holstein Kiel missed out on a three-point win after three games without a win and had to accept a late equaliser from Lukas Hinterseer (88th) against Hansa Rostock. Fabian Reese had given the hosts the lead with a converted handball penalty.

Hamburger SV successfully defended their lead at the top of the table with a last-minute win at Hannover 96 in the North derby on Friday evening. Ransford Königsdörffer scored the 2-1 winner for HSV in injury time. “I wanted the goal – then I got it. That is definitely one, maybe even the most beautiful goal of my career,” said the winning goal scorer. In the chasing duel, SV Darmstadt 98, undefeated in nine games, took over second place in the table from the East Westphalians with a 2-1 win at SC Paderborn after trailing 0:1.