Incredible atmospheres and fan culture

Until 1. FC Köln and Hamburg were promoted at the end of last season, the 2. Bundesliga for several years boasted more former German champions than the top flight. Storied clubs steeped in tradition and backed by huge followings – not just across Germany but around the world – find themselves languishing below their standards of decades gone by. All this makes for some incredible atmospheres that must be seen to be believed. And when you factor in the cost of a matchday ticket and beer, not to mention the free transport to the game, then no country rivals Germany.

It’s impossible to predict

For much of last season, 10 clubs were firmly in the promotion race until the final weeks, with the eventual top nine clubs separated by just 10 points. Elversberg upset the apple cart by finishing third and making it to the relegation playoff, just one point behind HSV. The league is simply impossible to predict, anyone can beat anyone and remains fiercely tight throughout. With a host of sides missing out on Bundesliga promotion last season, and the additions of relegated VfL Bochum and Holstein Kiel, along with 3. Liga newcomers Dynamo Dresden and none other than DFB Pokal finalists Arminia Bielefeld, the upcoming campaign promises to be even more unpredictable than the last.

A league of sleeping giants and big names

FC Köln and HSV may have earned promotion back into the top flight – the latter after a seven-year absence – but there are still a number of sleeping giants in the 2. Bundesliga. 1. FC Nürnberg, a nine-time German champion, have found themselves languishing in the second division since 2019. 1. FC Kaiserslautern – who won the Bundesliga in 1998 – found themselves in the 3. Liga in 2022 but since returned and narrowly missed out on the promotion playoff. Schalke 04 and Hertha Berlin are two clubs steeped in history with exceptional fanbases, but find themselves stuck in the second division while Hannover will also be eager to return to the Bundesliga under Christian Titz. And when it comes to big names, there are few bigger than Miroslav Klose in German football, who coaches FC Nürnberg in what is his first professional coaching job.

GGFN | Harry Good 

Should Yokota’s move to Hannover materialize, he will face his former 2. Bundesliga club on the first matchday of the 2025/26 campaign this weekend. The 25-year-old enjoyed a fine season with Lautern last year, scoring four goals and registering three assists in 25 appearances for the Pfälzer Red Devils.

Prior to moving to his current Belgian club, KAA Gent, Yokota came of age in German academies. After moving to Germany at the age of 18, the Itabashi-native worked on the footballing campuses of FSV Frankfurt and Carl Zeiss Jena. 

Sky reports that Hannover are in “advanced talks” to finalize the deal. Yokota’s transfer to St. Pauli reportedly fell through because Gent wasn’t satisfied with a €2.5m purchase offer for their player. 

GGFN | Peter Weis

Last month, it was concluded that exemptions to 50+1 would no longer be possible in German football. There are currently only two teams exempt, Leverkusen and Wolfsburg, while the Federal Cartel Office also questioned the running of Leipzig and Hannover, which have a ‘complex’ relationship between the board and Martin Kind. 

It was decided that these clubs must work with the DFL to present a solution that would bring them in line with the 50+1 rule. An original deadline was set for August 18th, but at the request of the DFL, an extension was given, and in a statement to kicker, the Federal Cartel Office said: 

“We have received requests for extensions from the DFL and individual parties invited to participate, and have granted each of these to the extent requested,” 

However, there are continued debates around the matter, and the clubs that have been brought into question could mount a legal challenge. On top of this, as previously reported, there is already lobbying internally at the DFL to potentially abolish 50+1 entirely. 

GGFN | Jack Meenan 

Zieler’s latest return to the Domstädter once again comes under interesting circumstances. Hannover 96 loaned Zieler out to Köln five years ago after a dust-up with then H96 head coach Kenan Koçak and controversial club chairmen Martin Kind led to him losing his starting position. Zieler was Hannover’s regular number one during the 2019/20 season, then regained his starting status with the Lower Saxons the year after returning from the atypical loan spell. 

Zieler again joins Köln expected to be the back-up keeper behind number one Marvin Schwäbe. In this case, Zieler forfeited a chance to be a regular 2. Bundesliga starter in order to warm the bench. Zieler started all 34 of Hannover’s German second division league fixtures last season and even managed to keep 11 clean sheets. Unless Schwäbe gets hurt or reconsiders an offer to join America’s MLS, Zieler won’t be working between the sticks.

Zieler offered up some explanation of his choice in a Köln-released statement. As is often the case with keepers of a certain age, the promise of integration into the coaching ranks naturally played a role. Veteran Borussia Mönchengladbach keeper Tobias Sippel (37) recently received specific assurances from his Bundesliga club. Zieler spoke more in generalities.

“Until [Köln sporting director] Thomas Kessler called me, I hadn’t actually thought about a move,” Zieler said. “I had open discussions with both sides. From the outset, I felt that the club [Köln] held me in very high regard and offered me clear prospects for the time after my active career, That was extremely important to me. It was such that I decided for my hometown club.”

GGFN | Peter Weis

The 36-year-old has made it clear to Hannover that he wishes to leave the club this summer. The deal is already in its advanced stages.  

What role he will have in the Domstadt is yet to be seen, it would likely be that Zieler will be backup to Marvin Schwäbe, who was the number one for Köln for most of their 2.Bundesliga season. 

The goalkeeper was born in Köln and even played in the club’s academy before moving to join the academy of Manchester United. Zieler would then spend time at Hannover, Leicester and Stuttgart before returning to Hannover in 2019. The 36-year-old even spent a season on loan with Effzeh back in the 2020/21 season. 

Upon their return to the Bundesliga, Köln have been busy with several incomings as they are set to fight for survival next season. However, on the flip side, they have also lost several players with Tim Lemperle, Max Finkgräfe and Dejan Ljubicic leaving the club in this window, while Damion Downs is also close to the exit door. 

GGFN | Jack Meenan 

Tresoldi has earned 11 Germany U21 caps since September of 2023, in the process scoring five goals for his country at the highest youth level. The 20-year-old currently prepares to contest the UEFA U21 European championship under U21 head coach Antonio di Salvo. A senior team call up could be in the works for the young forward if he continues along his current trajectory. 

Brugge continue to look to the German second division for talented additions. Tresoldi will obviously hope to follow in the footsteps of his former 2. Bundesliga colleague Christos Tzolis, who has thrived in Flanders after switching to Brugge from Fortuna Düsseldorf last summer. The Belgian outfit are also linked with Hamburger SV midfielder Ludovit Reis following his successful 2. Bundesliga career. 

“With Nicolo, we are losing a face of Hannover 96,” H96 boss Marcus Mann noted in a club statement. “but we are also proud to have accompanied him on his journey from the academy to the Champions League. It is well known that as a second division club, we are dependent on transfer income. As with other recent transfers over the past year and a half, it confirms that we are on the right track in promoting and developing young players.” 

“In my eight years at 96, I have met some great people and experienced some incredibly emotional moments that I will never forget,” Tresoldi himself added. “I am grateful that I was given this opportunity to develop. It was clear that the time would come to take the next step. That moment is now. I’m looking forward to it, even though it’s incredibly difficult for me to leave Hannover.”

GGFN | Peter Weis

It had previously been reported that the Blues were eyeing up a move for the 27-year-old centre-back as they looked to make him their first signing of the January transfer window.

However, while Neumann will join Birmingham, as it stands, he will only join up with his new side in the summer.

The defender’s deal at the Heinz von Heiden-Arena was set to expire in the summer, which has allowed the Blues to sign Neumann on a free transfer.

Nevertheless, Birmingham could still negotiate a fee with Hannover to bring the 27-year-old to St. Andrews earlier than planned, but no official bid has been made as of yet.

It is understood that the 2. Bundesliga side are hopeful of keeping Neumann at the club this winter as they look to fight for promotion to the Bundesliga, sitting just one point behind third-placed Hamburger SV in the table.

Regardless, despite interest from a number of Bundesliga sides, such as Borussia Monchengladbach, Augsburg, and Union Berlin, Neumann will become a Birmingham City player.

GGFN | Will Shopland

Tresoldi has scored five goals in nine appearances for the Germany Under-21 squad and has contributed six goals (four goals, two assists) in 17 league appearances this season.

BILD cite Italian portal Centotrentuno, who state that unnamed Bundesliga and Italian clubs are interested in signing Tresoldi, whom Cagliari ‘keen’ on the attacker.

But as further reported by BILD, Hannover would command a fee in excess of €8m for Tresoldi, who has 18 months remaining on his current deal.

Hannover sit seventh but remain just four points behind leaders FC Köln. Should Hannover miss out on promotion to the Bundesliga, then it’s likely that Tresoldi would leave the club in the summer.

Appointed as head coach on December 29, André Breitenreiter praised Tresoldi, who, “has many of the qualities of a really good striker.”

GGFN | Daniel Pinder

Here is the GGFN’s mid-season 2. Bundesliga review and grades. 

1.FC Köln

Current position: 1st 

Current top goalscorer: Tim Lemperle (8)

Grade: B

Even a few weeks ago, it wasn’t clear who would be sitting top at Christmas but after four consecutive wins, Köln lead what is already an incredibly contested 2. Bundesliga. It’s a fantastic achievement for the club considering they have been under a transfer ban and under new leadership this season in Gerhard Struber. Köln had a rough start to life in the second tier and didn’t really find any momentum until late October. Since then, they’re unbeaten in nine and also find themselves in the quarter-finals of the DFB Pokal. Expect Köln to be active in the January transfer window (finally) and add to their already solid squad. There have been rumours surrounding the future of top goalscorer Tim Lemperle, but if they can keep him until at least the summer, Köln may just find themselves back in the Bundesliga. Overall, reasons to be cheerful for Köln! 

Karlsruher SC

Current position: 2nd

Current top goalscorer: Budu Zivzivadze (12)

Grade: B+

Consistency has always been an issue for KSC, a poor Hinrunde would be rescued by a great Rückrunde but it would always leave them mid-table. This season is different, Karlsruhe were unbeaten until late October and despite a one win in six-game run, the nature of the 2.Bundesliga this season meant they lose touch with the top three. Two wins to end the year meant KSC find themselves in the promotion places heading into the Ruckrunde. The pressure surrounding the bigger clubs around them in the table may play into their favour when it comes to the later stages of the season. It also helps that Karslruhe’’s captain Marvin Wanitzek is one of the best players in the league so far with eight assists and six goals, while Georgia striker Budu Zivzivadze is the league’s top goalscorer. Unlikes other teams (see below), Karlsruhe have stuck by head coach Christian Eichner, while he has stuck by the club, despite his rising stock and the pair are now reaping the rewards. KSC’s main issue heading into the second half of the season will be sureing up their defence as they have the joint worst goal difference in the top 10. 

Hamburger SV

Current position: 3rd

Current top goalscorer: Davie Selke (10)

Grade: C+ 

Again for HSV, it’s been about the lack of consistency. It’s been their history for the past seven years and whether history will repeat itself, we will most likely be left waiting until the final day of the campaign. HSV have only lost three times this season but it’s the 7 draws that has been their downfall so far. HSV went four games without a win during late October and early November which led to Steffen Baumgart getting the sack. Merlin Polzin now leads the side on an interim basis and it’s been a mixed bag with draws against Ulm and Darmstadt and wins against Fürth and Karlsruher. HSV’s first game back in the new year is against league-leaders Köln. You feel the outcome of this game will really determine whether HSV are looking for the trophy or just any form of promotion. Of course there’ll be many twists and turns to come but it’s a massive opportunity they can’t afford to miss. In a league where consistency is half the battle, HSV have some work to do. They’re in striking distance but will they make the final hurdle in a few months time? 

Elversberg 

Current position: 4th

Current top goalscorer: Fisnik Asllani (10)

Grade: A

Elversberg are in their second season in the 2.Bundesliga and are within touching distance of the promotion places. A win on their final matchday of the year would have meant they ended the Hinrunde top of the table. The secret to Elversberg’s rise is their defence, they have the third least amount of goals conceded in the league and have also kept six clean sheets. They have built this side with consistency in the dugout with Horst Steffen in his seventh year in charge, leading the club from the Regionalliga to their current positioning, as well as smart recruiting with Fisnik Asllani, Muhmammed Damar (both Hoffenheim) and Elias Baum (Eintracht Frankfurt) all joining on loan and playing important roles. Elversberg have experience in winning league titles as they won the 3.Liga in 2022/23 so they know how to keep their cool, but the question is, in the chaos of the 2.Bundesliga, can they keep their cool and do the unthinkable and get promoted to the Bundesliga? The dream of Regionalliga to Bundesliga in four seasons is definitely on. 

Magdeburg

Current position: 5th 

Current top goalscorer: Martijn Kaars (7)

Grade: C+ 

A point within second place, it’s been a fantastic hinrunde for Magdeburg. Similar to others around them, FCM have struggled for consistency and dropped points against clubs at the other end of the table. Having said that, they’ve only lost three times this season and finished 2024 with a fabulous 5-2 win against table-rivals Fortuna Düsseldorf. The big alarm for Magdeburg is they have the worst home record in the league. From 8 home matches, they won none, drew six, and lost two. In contrast, they have the best away record winning seven, drew one, and lost one. It’s a statistic which is almost hard to get your head around. If just a couple of those home draws were converted into wins, Magdeburg would be flying high in first. Overall, Magdeburg have put themselves in a brilliant position for promotion; they just need to drastically improve their hom form. 

SC Paderborn

Current position: 6th

Current top goalscorer: Filip Bilbja (5)

Grade: B

Paderborn finished last season in 7th and have quite clearly kicked on from then. 6th place and  one of four teams just a point from 2nd, Paderborn are well in the mix for automatic promotion this season. The squad may not have many recognisable names when looking at other 2. Bundesliga clubs, however, they’ve recruited well and are playing good football. Paderborn have been solid at home and even more impressive away from home having only lost once on their travels. They haven’t had the best of records against those around them and that’ll be key as the season comes to a close. So far, an impressive campaign for Paderborn who are mixing it with the so-called big boys of the 2. Bundesliga. 

Hannover 96

Current position: 7th

Current top goalscorer: Nicolo Tresoldi (4)

Grade: C

Hannover are within two points of the promotion places, so all they would need is a good start to the year and they would be in the top three. Despite this, this was not good enough for Die Roten and they sacked Stefan Leitl replacing him with former head coach and player Andre Bretenreiter. Breitenreiter has experience winning promotion as he led Paderborn to their first-ever season in the Bundesliga as well as helping Hannover back into the Bundesliga in 2017. Hannover will have to hope this gamble pays off, as if it doesn’t it will be another long summer with star striker Nicolo Tresolid likely to depart.

Fortuna Düsseldorf

Current position: 8th 

Current top goalscorer: Isak Bergmann Johannesson (6)

Grade: C

Fortuna Düsseldorf are capable of sneaking into third position at the end of the season but like many around them it’s consistency that is harming their chances. Düsseldorf are a team that are capable of winning 5-0 and two weeks later losing 5-2, just as they did before the end of 2024. Düsseldorf went on a dreadful run at the tail-end of October and didn’t win another game until early December. Up until then, they were looking like one of the top candidates for automatic promotion. Going into the rückrunde, the squad will have to channel the form they showed earlier in the season. So far, it’s been a rollercoaster of a season and it’s showing no signs of slowing down for Düsseldorf. Buckle up! 

Kaiserslautern

Current position: 9th

Current top goalscorer: Ragnar Ache (9)  

Grade: C

You win some, you lose some; that’s been Kaiserlautern’s season so far. FCK are a team that can play out a boring goalless draw against Regensburg before playing out a thrilling 4-3 victory against Düsseldorf. Just on the outskirts of the chasing pack, it remains to be seen whether Kaiserslautern have the legs to keep up with the rest of them. They start 2025 with a run of three games they should be expected to win (on paper at least).  If they can get seven points for their opening nine, FCK’s season may just spark into life. Another team to keep your eye on, particularly in the early months of 2025. 

Darmstadt 

Current position: 10th

Current top goalscorer: Isac Lindberg (9)

Grade: C

Things could have been a lot worse for Darmstadt in their return to the 2.Bundesliga. In September the club were languishing around the relegation zone and looked like they were going to copy Arminia Bielefeld with a back-to-back relegation. However, they would sack Torsten Lieberknecht and replace him with Florian Kohfeldt. Since taking over ‘FloKo’ has only lost twice (a 2-1 loss to bottom Jahn Regensburg on the final matchday before the winter break and his second game in charge against Magdeburg), away from those losses Darmstadt have thrown the cat amongst the pigeons for teams chasing promotion with big wins against Köln and Kaiserslautern while also taking points off of Karlsruhe and Hamburg in draws. The highlight of Darmstadt’s season so far has been their 5-3 win against Schalke in Kohfeldt’s first game in charge when they were 3-0 down at half-time. Darmstadt are only four points off of promotion, so it is not out of the question but they will definitely be out to cause trouble once again for promotion chasers.  

1.FC Nürnberg

Current position: 11th

Current top goalscorer: Stefanos Tzimas (8)

Grade: C-

Average is the best way to describe Nürnberg at the moment. However, it is not all doom and gloom for Die Club as they only find themselves six points off of a promotion spot all while having the youngest squad in the league. Led by legendary German striker Miroslav Klose the likes of Finn Jeltsch, Berkay Yilmaz, Casper Jander, Jens Castrop and Stefanos Tzimas have all played important roles for Nürnberg this season. The young manager and young team combo will likely not work in the first season (as seen with Dino Toppmöller at Eintracht Frankfurt) but Nürnberg can continue to use this season to grow together as a team. The only downside is that they will lose their best player in the summer once again with Tzimas set to leave the team after they activate his €18m buy option and sell him for profit. With the money, Nürnberg can build a squad good enough for promotion.

Hertha Berlin

Current position: 12th

Current top goalscorer: Florian Niederlechner (5)

Grade: C- 

Roughly mid-table on 22 points and a goal difference of 0, it’s been a frustrating watch at times for Hertha fans so far this season. The club were hoping to push on this season and be in with the mix for promotion but it hasn’t quite materialised as of yet. Form has been a big issue with Hertha winning a few before going winless for a couple of matches. Having lost their last three matches before the end of the year, Hertha’s task of pushing for promotion is looking more distant. However, the squad are capable of doing just that and in a league which is so close, all it takes is a run of four fixtures and Hertha could be right up there again. Hertha could be one to watch for a late push in the second half of the season. Overall, it hasn’t been great so far but Hertha’s season is far from over. 

Schalke 04

Current position: 13th

Current top goalscorer: Moussa Sylla (11)

Grade: D

Drama is never far away from the Veltins Arena nowadays, but most of is is happening off the pitch. On it, Schalke looks closer to 3.Liga level than Bundesliga level and constantly rely on Moussa Sylla (11) and Kenan Karaman (10) for their goals. Manager Kees van Wonderen claims he is not Harry Potter when it comes to helping the club, but die Konigsblau need more than a magician to help them have any chance of returning to the Bundesliga. Their financial issues off the pitch put restrictions on who they can sign and hire, and the fact that there are rumours of selling Sylla in the winter to help ease these issues shows the state Schalke are currently in. They will need a miracle to even try and challenge for promotion this season and it wouldn’t be unlikely if they end the season with a different manager as they prepare for another year in the second division. 

Greuther Fürth

Current position: 14th

Current top goalscorer: Noel Futkeu (7)  

Grade: C-

Having finished 8th last season, this isn’t exactly where Greuther Fürth want to be going into the rückrunde. Currently on 20 points, Fürth will be nervously looking behind them rather than up unless they can pull consecutive wins together. The team went on a dreadful run in November before winning against Hertha and Hannover which has made their league position slightly better. Their home and away record is nearly identical and it’s clear that Fürth are capable of putting in a performance against some top teams. They don’t have the ability to push for promotion but should be good enough to avoid a relegation scrap. 

Preußen Münster

Current position: 15th

Current top goalscorer: Joshua Mees (4)

Grade: C+ 

Having won back-to-back promotions, Münster have catapulted themselves into one hell of a division against some of Germany’s most historic and traditional clubs. 15th heading into the new year is a fantastic achievement for the club. The aim for the season is to survive and that’s exactly what they’re doing so far. They’re three points ahead of automatic relegation and four points from 14th. Münster’s aim in the new year will be to close the gap on those above them whilst keeping their noses in front of the chasing pack behind them. Münster are a low scoring side (18) but at the same time don’t concede many (23). They’ve had some memorable victories against Hertha Berlin and Düsseldorf but will need to get more against the teams around them. Münster’s season hangs in the balance but they’re doing all they can to survive. 

SSV Ulm

Current position: 16th 

Current top goalscorer: Semir Telalović (5)

Grade: C-

Ulm are exactly where you’d expect them to be having just come up from the 3. Liga. They knew they’d be fighting for survival and the fact that they’re not bottom and two points from safety, they’ll be somewhat content with that so far. Ulm have become masters of the draw recently having shared the spoils in four of their last five league matches. It’s a good sign if they can see out games against the likes of Hertha and HSV but they’ll still need to turn some games from one point to all three if they want to survive. That’s the big task in the rückrunde for Ulm. 

Eintracht Braunschweig

Current position: 17th

Current top goalscorer: Rayan Philippe (9) 

Grade: D

It’s another season of battling for survival at Braunschweig having just avoided the drop in their last campaign. Going into the new year, the side have lost their last three and failed to score in their previous four; during this time they’ve also conceded nine goals. Simply put, Braunschweig can’t score goals and can’t keep them out. They have a poor record against the teams around them but occasionally pull the rabbit out the hat and somehow beat Hamburg, Hannover, and Greuther Fürth at home. Top goalscorer Rayan Phillippe is responsible for 56% of all Braunschweig’s goals this campaign. You fear that should he get injured, the club would find themselves in the third division next term. 

Jahn Regensburg

Current position: 18th 

Current top goalscorer: Kai Pröger (2) 

Grade: D- 

It’s been a miserable hinrunde for Regensburg who are now odds on to go straight back down into the third tier. Their season already looked dead and buried when they lost 8-3 away at Nürnberg back in late October. This prompted the manager to be sacked and for Andreas Patz to come in. Remarkably, Regensburg went on to win their next two in all competitions and finished 2024 with a win at home to Darmstadt. They’ve been through some tough moments this season but avoiding relegation is still possible. They’re three points from Ulm in 16th and play them in late January. Is the great escape on for Regensburg?

GGFN | Jamie Allen & Jack Meenan 

Despite the fact that this was a Bundesliga fixture just three seasons ago, heading into the tie, 32 league positions separated the two sides.

The hosts, Arminia, currently reside in the 3. Liga, sitting in the promotion playoff spot behind Dynamo Dresden and Energie Cottbus.

While Freiburg find themselves sixth in Germany’s top tier, occupying a Europa Conference League qualification spot.

Therefore, Julian Schuster’s side were undoubtedly heavy favourites prior to kick-off, in spite of Bielefeld’s previous cup heroics, having already eliminated Hannover 96 and Union Berlin.

18 minutes into the tie, Freiburg appeared ready to take control over the tie as Florent Muslija stepped up to the penalty spot.

However, Jonas Kersken in the Bielefeld goal would deny the 26-year-old before the game took an unexpected turn as Christopher Lannert’s spectacular strike placed the hosts in the lead.

Julian Kania would then do what Muslija could not and convert from twelve yards, as Bielefeld ran into a 2-0 lead.

Michael Gregoritsch’s second-half strike would be cancelled out by a Louis Oppie thunderbolt as the third-division side performed their third miracle of the DFB-Pokal this season.

The quarter-finals now await Bielefeld, who look to replicate 1. FC Saarbrücken’s run to the semi-finals last season.

Nevertheless, the bonus of more than €1.6 million for advancing past the round of 16 will undeniably be just as important a factor for the club.

GGFN | Will Shopland