East duo marches ahead - Rostock also wins

Leipzig (dpa) -

Cottbus at the top of the table with an announcement

Energie Cottbus have consolidated their lead at the top of the table with 30 points after 16 match days following their 2-0 win over SpVgg Unterhaching. In view of the points, Energie coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz was grinning all over his face and gave the team the day off on Sunday: "The boys should sleep and enjoy the momentum," said the 59-year-old on "MagentaSport" and sent a message to the league afterwards: "But it's absolutely justified, the way we're playing. Our goal is to get to 33 next week."

The promoted team created numerous opportunities against the Munich suburbs and could have scored more than the goals from Maximilian Krauß (25') and Tim Hoops' own goal (48'). Even without the suspended midfield organizer Dominik Pelivan, creative player Tolcay Cigerci, who was ill, and defender Filip Kusic, who suffered a thigh injury, the team's performance was "an absolute statement" according to Wollitz.

Scorer Krauß, who scored again after five games without a goal, also sent a message to the league. "We're just working on our luck. We treat each other to the good moves. That's a key to success," said the 28-year-old, "if we keep that up, we can play a good role."

Dynamo deliver in the top match

Was that the breakthrough? Dynamo Dresden's 4:2 victory in the top match at SV Sandhausen carries weight. Never before had the Saxons been able to take the Hardtwaldstadion fortress, but this time they did so in the second half with a masterful display of play and tactics. Coach Thomas Stamm's team are now back in a promotion place. Next Sunday will show whether this will last: Arminia Bielefeld will then come to the Harbig Stadium for the next cracker.

Stamm did not see the team as a top team at times. "We didn't defend the two goals we conceded from set pieces like a third-division team," he criticized on ARD. It's a process until you get to where you want to be. "We're a newly assembled team and yet we're still able to win games like this," the coach added in praise.

Double goalscorer Christoph Daferner, who now has new goals for the season, felt the success in Sandhausen was important. "The emotional cheers from the fans after my two goals felt really good. You do the whole thing for that. Vinko Sapina's first goal for Dynamo also finally rewarded him for his good performances," said the striker on "MagentaSport" and looked ahead: "Now it's on to Bielefeld. That will be extremely difficult." Stamm added: "We have too many draws at home. It would be nice if we could give the fans a win again."

Hansa climbing: Second away win after improvement

The Hansa cog is sailing in calmer waters. With the 2:1 win at TSV 1860 Munich, FC Hansa Rostock moved into a secure mid-table position and, after a disastrous start, are slowly but surely even within sight of the upper echelons of the table. Seven points separate coach Daniel Brinkmann's team from the relegation spot occupied by Arminia Bielefeld. "We are a very lively club. Everything can change quickly. We want to stabilize further. We'll have even more time to get to know each other during the winter break," said Brinkmann on "MagentaSport". And goalscorer Alexander Rossipal commented: "We've already had a lot of knocks this season. Now we're slowly growing together. We have to continue to work humbly despite the good run of four wins from five games."

However, the first half looked anything but good from his point of view. "We made some changes in the second half. It worked well and we deserved to win because we had more chances. Alexander Rossipal's goal was superb. I'm really pleased for him. We scored the goal with our second chance ever. That was the can opener," emphasized the coach.

For Rossipal, the dream goal was only the ninth goal of his professional career. He hammered the ball into the corner from a good 25 meters. "That was one of the best goals of my career. I scored a similar one with Mannheim. So that wasn't just a flash in the pan," said the goalscorer.