Energie Cottbus’ Play-off Dreams at Risk After Loss in Third Division Opener

The team of coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz travels to Unterhaching for the second leg with the mortgage of a 1:2 defeat.

Energies Tobias Hasse shields the ball against Niclas Anspach. Leifer/Imago

In front of an impressive backdrop, Energie Cottbus lost the first play-off game for promotion to the 3rd football league. The champions of the Regionalliga Nordost lost 2-1 (1-2) to SpVgg Unterhaching on Wednesday evening. A hand penalty from Jonas Hildebrandt (13th minute) was not enough for the Lausitzers in front of 17,580 spectators in the Friendship Stadium.

Goals from Niclas Anspach (6th) and Simon Skarlatidis (30th) gave Energie a difficult starting position. In the second leg on Sunday (1 p.m.) in Unterhaching, a win is needed – otherwise the dream of returning to the third division after four years in the fourth division will be over.

Energy coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz and Unterhaching’s Sandro Wagner had expressly expressed their dissatisfaction with the regulations with the decisive games of the fourth division champions from the north-east and Bavaria. The coach types agreed: masters should be allowed to rise. The atmosphere in the Stadium of Friendship was brilliant. Even Hachings club boss Manfred Schwabl pulled out his mobile phone for video recordings before kick-off.

angry reply

Schwabl was pleased to watch after a few minutes when Anspach scored from close range to put the visitors ahead. Cottbus answered angrily. Eric Hottmann missed the possible quick equalizer (7th). It came after a handball from David Pisot. Hildebrandt shot the penalty safely.

The game took place in the predicted lanes. Cottbus played with heart and power, Unterhaching with calculation and routine. The Munich suburbs had the better means. Patrick Hobsch (25th) headed to the crossbar. Skarlatidis then scored from the edge of the box. Wagner was able to lead his team through the narrow player tunnel with a half-time lead.

Hobsch (58th) missed the possible preliminary decision with a free-standing header. Energie then pushed for the equalizer with verve, without being able to create any clear chances in the heated atmosphere. Too much Hachinger Zeitspiel complained energy. Wollitz also complained about it and received a yellow card from referee Timo Gerach. His players lacked the strength for a compelling final offensive.