After the football festival in the Stadium of Friendship in front of a large crowd in the 1:1 (0:1) between FC Energie Cottbus and Rot-Weiß Erfurt, the controversial promotion regulation to the third football league once again became the focus of criticism. Energy coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz called it "absurd" and "bottomless" that the champions of the Regionalliga Nordost still have to play two promotion games against the title holders from Bavaria.
Wollitz directed his criticism at the German Football Association (DFB). "The DFB is not looking here. The Regionalliga Nordost delivers fantastic games every week and produces exceptional attendance. In the end, this will not be rewarded," he said, renewing the criticism he had already voiced in recent months.
A remarkable 18,674 spectators made the draw between Energie Cottbus and Rot-Weiß Erfurt the best-attended game of all five Regionalliga seasons this season. At the same time, it is the third largest crowd in the Regionalliga Nordost, which was introduced in 2012/13. Erfurt coach Fabian Gerber also praised the atmospheric atmosphere. "That was a great advertisement – not only for north-east German football, but for the entire republic," Gerber explained.
"No 47 physiotherapists"
Nazzareno Ciccarelli gave the visitors the lead in the 31st minute. Tim Heike equalised in the 84th minute in the dramatic final phase. From a sporting point of view, Energie Cottbus is still only one victory away from winning the championship title. The Lusatians have another home game against SV Babelsberg next Sunday (20 May) and then travel to Chemie Leipzig. Rot-Weiß Erfurt still plays against Chemie Leipzig and VSG Altglienicke. Cottbus is four points ahead of Erfurt.
The champions of the Regionalliga Nordost will meet a Bavarian fourth-division representative in the play-offs for promotion to the third division on 7 and 11 June. It is not yet certain whether the local title holder Spielvereinigung Unterhaching will compete due to economic issues. In addition, Energie Cottbus is still waiting for the final of the Brandenburg State Cup against FSV Luckenwalde on 3 June (12.15 CET).
The short preparation time for the new season is another nuisance from Wollitz's point of view. "It doesn't matter whether Erfurt or Cottbus make it: The team that plays a promotion match on 11 June will start preparing on 23 June and the championship at the end of July," he railed, referring to the worse conditions compared to professional football: "We can't afford 47 physiotherapists."