Holstein Kiel, a club from northern Germany, secured its first rise in the Bundesliga on Saturday evening thanks to its home draw against Fortuna Düsseldorf (1-1), third and who will at least play in the play-offs at the end of May. With 65 points on the clock, Holstein Kiel can no longer be joined by Fortuna Düsseldorf, third with 60 points. Second in the 2nd division with 63 points, Sankt Pauli can ensure its first return to the elite since 2011, in the event of a victory or draw against the red lantern of Osnabruck on Sunday (1:30 p.m.) at home.
This is Kiel’s first time in the Bundesliga, established in 1963. Crowned German champions in 1912, the city’s club at the northern end has been a member of the Oberliga Nord, one of five leagues constituting the German first division after the Second World War, until the creation of the Bundesliga. Fifth in the 1962-63 Oberliga North, Kiel did not obtain its place for the first Bundesliga season, beginning its adventure in the 2nd division. The club then navigated between the 2nd, 3rd and sometimes even the 4th division (2012-13).
Moved up to the 2nd division in the spring of 2017, Holstein Kiel finished in 3rd place in 2021, failing against Cologne in the Bundesliga promotion play-off.