SV Elversberg save a well-earned point in Paderborn in the final seconds
In an exciting second-division game against SC Paderborn 07 on Saturday evening, SV Elversberg showed huge nerve to gain a late 1:1 equaliser. Just seconds before the final whistle, Florian Le Joncour scored the celebrated goal for the away team, who controlled significant portions of the match but were continually thwarted by the home team’s compact defence.
Patient start for both teams
Both teams approached the match with respect, and 1. FC Magdeburg’s 1:1 the previous day made the match even more important: third place in the table and thus an opportunity to be promoted to the Bundesliga were within arm’s reach. SC Paderborn and SV Elversberg were both therefore suitably cautious in the first few minutes.
There was initially a lack of major opportunities, with defensive play dominating. Paderborn’s best opportunity in the first have went to Filip Bilbija in the 15th minute, when he fired a shot above the goal from close up. However, Elversberg increasingly took control as the match went on. Coach Horst Steffen’s team gained more ball possession and carved out the first opportunities of their own. Muhammed Damar had a lead within his grasp in the 24th minute but was thwarted by Paderborn’s goalkeeper Manuel Riemann. Shortly before half-time, Fisnik Asllani established a promising position but was similarly unable to score a goal (44th minute).
Lead out of the blue for Paderborn
Things continued in a similar vein after the change of ends: Elversberg determined the course of play but struggled to develop any clear goal opportunities against the home team’s well organised defence. This made Paderborn’s lead even more surprising: after a pass that was initially fended off, the ball landed at the feet of Julian Obermair, who fired a long-distance shot. This was deflected by Filip Bilbija, leaving the Elversberg goalkeeper Nicolas Kristof powerless to stop it – and the home team took a 1:0 lead in the 56th minute.
SC Paderborn then sought to bring the win home with some tactical changes. Coach Lukas Kwasniok brought on experienced strikers Adriano Grimaldi and Sven Michel. Michel in particular posed a threat in the 80th minute, when his lob hit the crossbar.
Despite this setback, SV Elversberg did not give up. The team ramped up their attacks and developed more opportunities. Robin Fellhauer had the biggest chance to equalise in the 72nd minute, but was once again derailed by Riemann.
Much-deserved reward in final seconds
Elversberg remained determined in extra time. Paderborn defended with all their might, threw themselves at every goal attempt and seemed likely to hold on to their narrow lead. But then came the crucial moment: in the 94th minute, a blocked ball landed at Florian Le Joncour’s feet. The central defender lost no time firing off a shot from 20 metres out – and the ball bounced off another Paderborn player and into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal.
Referee Benjamin Brand blew his whistle to signal the end of the match just a few moments later. Elversberg’s courageous, committed play had finally paid off and secured them a vital point in the battle to be promoted.
Whilst SV Elversberg viewed the late equaliser as a much-deserved reward for a committed performance, Paderborn were left hugely frustrated. SC’s coach Lukas Kwasniok had some clear words to say:
This is one of the bitterest days we have had in the four years I have been here. We are incredibly disappointed and empty
he said after the match.
Paderborn’s goalkeeper Filip Bilbija also sounded disappointed: ‘This is of course a bitter pill. I thought we were safe from an equaliser as we had defended everything away. We did not let much through, we put in a good defensive performance.’
However, Elversberg’s coach Horst Steffen viewed the draw as a fair result: ‘I felt that it wasn’t entirely undeserved. I would say there were only ten minutes where we did not have control of the game. Otherwise things were good.’ Steffen showed no disappointment about failing to take home three points: ‘Absolutely not.’
Fisnik Asllani also emphasised the importance of their point and highlighted their unwavering team spirit: ‘It was very important that we didn’t lose this match today’, he explained to Sportschau. After they fell behind, he continually motivated his fellow players to believe in themselves.
SV Elversberg were the more active team with better play overall. The players were particularly dominant in the midfield, forcing the ball and their opponents to move and patiently waiting for gaps in the opposing team’s defence. However, early on they often lacked the final precision required to capitalise on this dominance.
Paderborn’s lead came out of a situation where SVE were in fact in total control. However, the team’s response after conceding a goal highlights their mindset: SVE were unfazed by falling behind and ramped up the pressure, kept the ball within their own ranks and repeatedly forced their opponents to make mistakes.
The fact that the equaliser came in extra time just shows the tenacity of Elversberg’s play, right through to the final seconds. Coach Horst Steffen summarised proceedings perfectly:
It seems typical of the match that our equaliser came from a deflected shot, as the 1:0 was also deflected. We are fortunate, but I also think that we earned the draw. I am excited now to see where both our journeys take us.
Outlook: Nürnberg as next challenge
Winning this point keeps SV Elversberg in the running for promotion. Paderborn and Elversberg now both have 49 points and are just one away from the first promotion spot, currently held by 1. FC Magdeburg.
Things continue for SVE this weekend with another away game: on Sunday 4 May, Elversberg face 1. FC Nürnberg (kick-off at 1:30 p.m.).
SV Elversberg are heading confidently to Franconia armed with the nerve they showed in Paderborn and belief in their own strengths – and a clear aim to bring points home.