2nd League: Paderborn Stumbles, Schalke Fails to Capitalize – Hannover and Darmstadt Claim Key Wins
paderborn, Germany – November 27, 2023 - SC Paderborn, previously unbeaten in nine league games and holding the top spot in the 2. Bundesliga, suffered a 2-0 defeat to Hannover 96 today, failing to extend their lead. Concurrently, Schalke 04 were unable to capitalize on Paderborn’s loss, leaving the league standings tightly contested.
Hannover’s victory, secured by a brace from Finnish international Benjamin Källman (20th and 36th minutes) in front of 15,000 fans, ended both Paderborn’s winning streak and their own two-game winless run. The result keeps Hannover in promotion contention. Paderborn remains at the top of the table despite the loss, as Schalke’s inability to secure a win prevented them from overtaking the lead.
Elsewhere in the league, Fortuna Düsseldorf ended a negative streak with a last-gasp 2-1 victory over FC Magdeburg, marking their first success in six competitive games under new coach Markus beginning. Cedric Itten scored both goals for Düsseldorf, including a decisive strike in the 95th minute.
Darmstadt 98 climbed to third place, at least temporarily, after a thrilling 4-2 win against Greuther Fürth. Fraser Hornby scored twice for Darmstadt,with Isac Lidberg – now the league’s leading scorer with ten goals and two assists in twelve appearances - and Merveille Papela also finding the net. Lidberg currently leads the 2. Bundesliga scoring charts with twelve points, while Hornby is third with ten points (four goals, six assists). Fürth, meanwhile, conceded their 34th goal of the season and slipped to 15th place.
