One defeat, three dismissals: Lok misses out on promotion

Dream dashed after a great fight: 1. FC Lok Leipzig missed out on a return to professional soccer after more than 25 years. The champions of the Regionalliga Nordost lost the relegation second leg at TSV Havelse 0:3 (0:0, 0:0) after extra time and thus had to concede the last place in the 3rd division to the Lower Saxons.

In front of 2,300 fans, Julius Düker (95th), Marko Ilic (110th) and Lorenzo Paldino (113th) scored the goals. Leipzig's Tobias Dombrowa (80) and Luc Elsner (118) were shown a yellow card, Pasqual Verkamp (116) even saw red. Havelse's Paldino (115) was sent off with a yellow card for taking off his shirt while celebrating a goal.

Havelse with better chances

Lok lost for the second time in the relegation play-off. In 2020, they faced SC Verl and missed out on promotion after two draws due to the away goals rule still in force.

After the 1-1 draw in the first leg, Havelse were much more active and had the best opportunities. Besfort Kolgeci (30') hit the post with a free-kick from 20 meters. Captain Düker's goal (49') was disallowed for offside. Lok got better from the middle of the second half, Djamal Ziane (65) missed the best opportunity. In the closing stages, the striker saved for Lok on the line.

K.O. by Ilic and Paldino

Lok's strength dwindled more and more when they were short-handed. Havelse finally converted their superiority into a goal. When Düker shot from over 20 meters, the otherwise impeccable Lok keeper Andreas Naumann did not cut a good figure.

The Leipzig side then threw everything forward once more, but no more good chances were created. Instead, Ilic and Paldino increased the lead and made it all clear for Havelse. The northern champions were last in the 3rd division in the 2021/22 season and were relegated in second-last place.

There is currently a renewed debate about promotion to the 3rd division. As there are only four champions in five regional leagues, an association of over 20 clubs is seeking a reform. This is to be passed at the DFB's national conference in November. Currently, the champions of the West and South-West leagues are promoted directly, while the North, North-East and Bavarian leagues alternate between fixed promotion and relegation.