SV Elversberg in the relegation first leg: Can promotion succeed?

SV Elversberg in the relegation first leg: Can promotion succeed?

On May 22, 2025, SV Elversberg will enter the decisive phase of the season. In the first leg of the relegation, the team plays against 1. FC Heidenheim, and the goal is clear: a good starting position for promotion to the Bundesliga. The game will take place tonight at 8:30 p.m. in the Voith Arena in Heidenheim and will be commented on live while an audio stream is on sportschau.de is available.

Coach Horst Steffen knows about the strength of the opponent and emphasizes the high quality of Heidenheim. “They have a stable defense and great players at set pieces,” says Steffen and also warns about the Bundesliga club’s creative and fast players. The historical record of relegation speaks for Heidenheim, which is in only its second season in the top German league. The Bundesliga teams have prevailed in 13 of 16 relegations so far.

Elversberg's challenges and opportunities

SV Elversberg comes into this encounter with an impressive series of eight second division games won. But one downside remains: Defense chief Lukas Pinckert is suspended and will not be available to his team in the first leg. Meanwhile, their coach Frank Schmidt has praised Steffen as “Coach of the Year”, which further fuels the already existing rivalry between the two teams.

Both coaches hope to create a solid basis in the first leg for the second leg on May 26th at 8:30 p.m. in the Kaiserlinde stadium in Elversberg. On the way to the Bundesliga, the highest German league, Elversberg faces a high hurdle. The circumstances are reminiscent of the 1984/1985 season, when 1. FC Saarbrücken was promoted against Arminia Bielefeld.

The look ahead

Nevertheless, Elversberg is optimistic about the game. The team has worked hard and wants to reap the rewards of their efforts at this crucial stage of the season. A win against Heidenheim could lay the foundation for promotion and give fans hope for the future.

For more information about the game and the mood before the important duel, take a look at the detailed game information kicker.de.