FC Energie Cottbus successfully secured promotion to the second tier of German professional football (2. Bundesliga) after defeating Jahn Regensburg 1-0 on Saturday. Jannis Boziaris scored the crucial goal in the 28th minute by powerfully placing the ball into the top corner. Although Cottbus struggled to build on their lead, the game was tense during the final minutes, as Jahn pushed hard toward an equalizer. Energy managed to keep their narrow advantage, which was secured partly by a crucial penalty save in stoppage time, allowing the club to celebrate its return to the professional lower league after a twelve-year absence.
Meanwhile, Rot-Weiß Essen also remains in contention for promotion through the relegation play-offs. RWE won a difficult game against relegated SSV Ulm with a 3-2 victory, thanks in part to a late winner scored by Ben Vincent Hüning. Simultaneously, MSV Duisburg failed to break away from a 1-1 draw against Viktoria Köln, dropping them down to fourth place behind Essen. The MSV captain, Rasim Bulic, notably hit the post shortly before the final whistle.
Another team to confirm their status was VfL Osnabrück, who had already secured their spot in the 2. Bundesliga, having finished as champions of the 3. Liga and first promoted to the second tier. The team concluded their successful season with a dramatic 4-3 victory against the reserve squad of VfB Stuttgart.