In the Europa League quarter‑finals, SC Freiburg faced KRC Genk and FSV Mainz 05 took on Sigma Olomouc.
“Freiburg vs. Genk”
Freiburg won their second‑leg encounter with a 5‑1 victory at the Europa‑Park Stadium, overturning the 0‑1 defeat from the first leg. The Germans started strongly, with Matthias Ginter scoring from a free‑kick in the 19th minute, followed by Igor Matanović’s header (2‑0) just six minutes later. Genk managed a consolation goal through Matte Smets before halftime, but the pressure from Freiburg kept their opponents at bay. In the second half, Vincenzo Grifo restored the two‑goal cushion at 3‑1 with a skilful interception and shot past the keeper. Yuito Suzuki added a 4‑1 goal immediately after, after leading a counter‑attack. The final goal was a 5‑1 finish from Maximilian Eggestein, who curled a ball from 16 m into the left corner. Freiburg’s compact team play and efficient finishing earned them a convincing win and a quarter‑final berth.
“Mainz vs. Sigma Olomouc”
Mainz claimed a 2‑0 win at home, after a 0‑0 draw away in the first leg. The match opened with a goal from Stefan Posch in the 46th minute, when a precise cross from Nebel was headed by Posch into the far corner. Mainz dominated the rest of the game, limiting Olomouc’s chances. In the 76th minute, Sigma’s Péter Baráth was dismissed for a foul, giving Mainz a temporary numerical advantage. Mainz capitalised with a 2‑0 finish from Armindo Sieb in the 82nd minute, when a low cross from da Costa was converted into the far corner. Despite some late attempts to get back into the match, Mainz held a solid defensive line, and their fans celebrated the historic progression to the international quarter‑finals while Sigma Olomouc departed the stadium without a goal.