St Pauli Secures Bundesliga Return After 13-Year Absence

St Pauli supporters unveiled a banner that boldly declared ‘St Pauli is the only possibility’ before the Bundesliga second division clash between Hamburger SV and FC St Pauli in Hamburg, northern Germany, on May 3, 2024. – AFPPIX

The iconic Hamburg club St Pauli triumphantly secured promotion to the Bundesliga after a 13-year hiatus with a resounding 3-1 victory over Osnabrueck on Sunday.

Pauli clinched the win thanks to a stellar performance by Dapo Afolayan, who netted twice, and a goal from the club’s top scorer Marcel Hartel, marking their return to top-flight football since being relegated in 2011.

Joining Pauli in their promotion to the Bundesliga is fellow club Holstein Kiel from the north, who made history by reaching the German top flight for the first time following a home draw against third-placed Fortuna Duesseldorf on Saturday.

Reflecting on the achievement, coach Fabian Huerzeler expressed his elation, stating, “It’s indescribable. We were able to give something back to the fans for their incredible support. It’s an extreme relief and the crowning glory of our season,” on Sky.

Former Bolton and West Ham striker Afolayan opened the scoring for the home side within seven minutes and added another early in the second half with a tap-in at the far post. Hartel then sealed the victory with a header 22 minutes before the final whistle, securing his 17th league goal of the season.

Although Osnabrueck managed to pull one back through Lars Kehl’s stoppage-time penalty, the celebrations were already underway at St Pauli’s Millerntor Stadium, located near the city’s famous Reeperbahn.

Known for their skull and crossbones flag and their association with various left-wing causes, Pauli enjoys an international reputation that transcends their sporting triumphs.

This promotion signifies Pauli’s remarkable ascent under the guidance of 31-year-old US-born coach Huerzeler.

Huerzeler took charge just before Christmas in 2022 when the club was flirting with relegation. He orchestrated a rapid climb up the league table to finish in fourth place at the end of the season, narrowly missing out on promotion last season but accomplishing the feat this time around.

Sitting atop the table with one match to go, Pauli can secure the championship of the second division by matching Kiel’s result in the upcoming weekend.

Meanwhile, Duesseldorf is assured of finishing in third place and will compete in a two-legged playoff against the third-bottom team in the top division, currently Union Berlin.

For St Pauli, this promotion marks their sixth in club history and holds extra significance as their city rivals Hamburg SV once again fell short of returning to the Bundesliga.

Hamburg SV, the champions of the 1983 European Cup, faced relegation for the first time in 2017-18 and have been unable to secure promotion back to the top flight in the six seasons since. Currently in fourth place, Hamburg has finished in fourth position three times and third position twice, losing the promotion/relegation playoff on both occasions.