News Focus
- Club legend Branimir Hrgota fights back tears after final match for Greuther Fürth
- Greuther Fürth defeat Rot-Weiss Essen to confirm survival in 2. Bundesliga
- Noel Futkeu departs with mixed emotions following crucial victory
- Both players leave Sportpark Ronhof after securing the club’s league status
Greuther Fürth have kept their place in the German second division after beating Rot-Weiss Essen. Two players who are leaving the club this summer played key parts in the victory.
Club hero Branimir Hrgota showed his emotions at full-time. The Swedish forward cried as he celebrated avoiding relegation with the supporters.
“This match meant everything,” Hrgota said after the game. “We had to think about the fans and the staff who work here. If we had lost, many people would have suffered.”
He spoke about the difficult year the team faced. “We have had hard times all season. Today we scored twice and defended very well. It is amazing that the club stays in the second division. I am happy my time here does not end with relegation. Now we will celebrate together.”
Striker Noel Futkeu is also leaving the Bavarian side. The 23-year-old shared his thoughts after the match at Sportpark Ronhof.
“This club has become special to me. The people and the place mean a lot. So I leave with both sad and happy feelings,” Futkeu explained.
He thanked his team-mates for his own success this term. “I owe my goals to the boys. We achieved this together today. This is how I wanted to say goodbye – with the team safe in the league.”
Futkeu talked about the match plan. “We played excellently today. We knew what Essen would bring. But we also know how strong we are at home. We have shown great football here this season.”
“We kept our belief. We knew we must wait for our chances, but the goals would come. After we scored first, the game opened up,” he added.
“We felt some pressure near the end, but fortune was with us today,” said Futkeu, who used to play for Essen.