As of: March 10, 2024, 10:42 a.m
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Kiel's Benedikt Pichler (li) and Timo Becker (r) try to take the ball from Karlsruhe's Marvin Wanitzek (M).
© Gregor Fischer/dpa
The game against Karlsruher SC could have been a milestone towards promotion for Holstein Kiel.
The second place in the table is convincing and the lead is growing.
Kiel - The celebration won't be much bigger if Holstein Kiel actually gets promoted to the Bundesliga in May for the first time in the club's history.
Even the otherwise reserved sports director Uwe Stöver fell into the arms of his coach Marcel Rapp after the 1-0 (0-0) against Karlsruher SC.
This success in front of 15,034 spectators was a milestone for Kiel on the way to the Bundesliga.
The lead over HSV in the relegation place is now five points.
And the performance against a strong opponent was at least partially worthy of promotion.
After numerous missed opportunities for Kiel, Lewis Holtby rewarded a strong performance with the winning goal in the 57th minute.
In the end, Holstein withstood increasing pressure from KSC. “The boys showed a good mentality again.
In terms of content, it was significantly better than in Berlin,” said Rapp.
And the goalscorer Holtby combined his celebratory gesture and his television interview after the game with a special message: “I promised my daughter Haley this morning that if I scored, I would send her a greeting via the television camera,” he said.
The former first division and England professional shaped his hands into a heart after his winning goal.
A lot of things are right again at the moment in second place in the table - in terms of atmosphere, in terms of the table and also in terms of personnel.
The Swedish newcomer Alexander Bernhardsson made his starting eleven debut for Holstein on Saturday.
Striker Benedikt Pichler made his first appearance in more than four months in the final minutes after a long injury break.
Rapp also expects Carl Johansson and Steven Skrzybski to return in the foreseeable future.
“There are still a few that we have in the pipeline for the next few weeks,” said the coach.
These are the crucial weeks of the entire season.
And if no one from Kiel wanted to talk directly about promotion, at least Karlsruhe coach Christian Eichner dared to speak out a little on this topic.
The 41-year-old once played together with Rapp for KSC and said: “Compliments to Holstein for the season so far.
I wish you all the best for the remaining games!” dpa