FC Energie Cottbus must wait until the last matchday to return to professional soccer

FC Energie Cottbus will have to wait until the final matchday to return to professional soccer. Coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz's team were unable to get past FSV Luckenwalde 3:3 (0:1) in the North-East Regional Football League. As Greifswalder FC conceded a 2:5 (0:2) defeat at VSG Altglienicke, the championship and promotion to the 3rd division will not be decided until the final matchday.

Cottbus lead the table with 68 points ahead of Greifswald (65) and play at Hertha BSC II next Sunday - then another draw would be enough. Greifswald face ZFC Meuselwitz at home on matchday 34 and must win. FCE last appeared in the third-highest division in the 2018/19 season.

Phil Butendeich put the visitors ahead in the 4th minute. After the break, Lucas Vierling extended the lead with a penalty (56') and Butendeich again (64'). Tim Heike gave the hosts hope again with his two goals (74', 80'). Tim Campulka saved a 3:3 draw in the second minute of stoppage time. FC Energie controlled the game for long stretches, but made crucial defensive mistakes against Luckenwalde, who were strong on the counterattack.

The 19,287 spectators at Leag Energie provided a great atmosphere. Against Luckenwalde, the number of spectators was in the five-digit range for the third time in a row. An average of 8,000 spectators per game represents a season record for FCE in the Regionalliga Nordost.

Eleven months after the defeats in the two promotion matches against SpVgg Unterhaching, the former Bundesliga club has once again set itself the goal of returning to professional soccer this season. "To follow up this intense experience of frustration with promotion would not only be a great feat of willpower, but also the fulfillment of a dream of the fans, the city of Cottbus, the region and the state of Brandenburg," emphasized Brandenburg's Minister President Dietmar Woidke before the match against Luckenwalde. Patience is now required in Cottbus until next Sunday.