The 1. FC Köln has secured the autumn championship by winning 1:0 at 1. FC Kaiserslautern in the 17th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga, thereby concluding the first half of the season.
The Kölner and the Red Devils played at eye level from the start on Sunday. The Geißböcke, however, had the better chances and took the lead in the 33rd minute through a goal by Dejan Ljubicic, who converted a corner kick from Linton Maina with a header.
After the break, the home team’s pressure increased, but Köln stood firm and only allowed a few really threatening chances. In the end, the guests successfully defended their lead and secured the three crucial points in the promotion race.
Köln now has a two-point lead over the second-placed KSC, while Kaiserslautern is in ninth place. The Geißböcke will face the Hamburg SV after the winter break on January 18, and Kaiserslautern will play against Ulm on the same day.
The results of the parallel matches on Sunday afternoon: Hannover 96 – Hertha BSC 0:0, Jahn Regensburg – SV Darmstadt 98 2:1.