• SV Elversberg secure first-ever promotion to Germany’s top flight after 3-0 victory
• Coach Vincent Wagner compares achievement to landing on the moon
• Club overcame departure of key players and coaching changes to seal Bundesliga spot
• Promotion sealed for 2026/27 season following tough battle with Hannover and Paderborn
• 40-year-old manager celebrated on the pitch with fans and club mascot Paul

SV Elversberg have written a new chapter in their history books. The modest German club will compete in the Bundesliga for the first time during the 2026/27 season. This remarkable rise comes just one year after they suffered heartbreak in the promotion play-offs.

Head coach Vincent Wagner watched his side seal their place in the top tier with a comfortable 3-0 win against SC Preußen Münster. The result confirmed their promotion with games to spare. Wagner could not contain his joy as he celebrated with supporters and the club’s beloved mascot, Paul.

“This is something truly special,” the 40-year-old manager told Sky Sports. “A close friend told me this week that if Elv achieve promotion, it would feel like flying to the moon. Well, today we have successfully landed on the moon.”

The journey to the top of German football has not been easy. Last season, the club finished third in the 2. Bundesliga but lost in the play-off against 1. FC Heidenheim. That defeat meant they missed out on a place in the elite division.

Since that disappointment, the club has faced major changes. Long-serving manager Horst Steffen departed to take charge of Werder Bremen. Steffen had guided the team from the fourth tier in 2021/22 through back-to-back promotions. However, the Bundesliga side dismissed him in February.

Wagner arrived from TSG Hoffenheim II last summer. He took over a squad that was losing its best talent. Top scorers Fisnik Asllani and Muhammed Damar saw their loan spells end and returned to Hoffenheim. Star midfielder Robin Fellhauer moved to FC Augsburg. In January, the league’s leading goal scorer Younes Ebnoutalib joined Eintracht Frankfurt. Sporting director Nils-Ole Book also left, accepting a similar position at Borussia Dortmund.

Despite these setbacks, Wagner rebuilt the team. They fought off strong competition from SC Paderborn and Hannover 96 to secure automatic promotion. The manager admitted he had felt nervous in the build-up to the decisive match.

“I have felt anxious for the past two days,” Wagner said. The team had suffered a defeat against Fortuna Düsseldorf the previous week. “We learned our lessons from that loss. Today, we showed a much better performance in front of our fans.”

The coach revealed he first discussed promotion possibilities with his wife three weeks ago. This conversation took place after FC Schalke 04 confirmed their own top-flight status. Now, Wagner and his players can prepare for life among Germany’s footballing elite.

• Hannover 96 sit third in the table and remain unbeaten across their last six league fixtures.
• SC Preußen Münster occupy the bottom spot, trailing the safety zone by six points and seeking their first victory in seven matches.
• The previous meeting between these sides finished 2-2, with Münster scoring twice in stoppage time to rescue a point.

This Sunday’s fixture at the Heinz-von-Heiden-Arena presents a critical test for both clubs. Hannover 96 need points to maintain their challenge for a top-flight return, while SC Preußen Münster must secure results to keep their survival hopes alive.

The home side have avoided defeat in six consecutive outings. They currently hold third position in a tightly contested promotion race. Paderborn sit just one point above them in second place, while Elversberg trail by a single point in fourth. This leaves Christian Titz’s team with no room for mistakes.

Hannover claimed a dramatic 3-1 victory away at Karlsruhe in their most recent match. Mustapha Bundu gave them an early advantage, though Fabian Schleusener equalised for the hosts. Kolja Oudenne restored the lead with eight minutes remaining, before Daisuke Yokota confirmed the win during added time.

Despite the gap in league positions, manager Christian Titz refuses to underestimate the opposition. “If this were an easy fixture, we would have collected maximum points in the first half of the season,” he stated. “Every team in this division possesses strengths and quality. We will approach this contest with complete focus and respect.”

The situation appears desperate for the visitors. They have not won any of their last seven matches and remain anchored to the foot of the table. Another loss this weekend could effectively end their chances of avoiding the drop, depending on other results.

Münster suffered a 3-2 home defeat against Arminia Bielefeld last time out. Yassine Bouchama scored after just two minutes, but defensive errors allowed the visitors to net three times before half-time. The hosts improved after the break but only managed to score again through a late own goal.

Manager Alois Schwartz maintains hope of a miracle escape. “Anything remains possible in football. We only need to look at our situation twelve months ago,” he remarked, referring to their successful relegation battle last term.

The reverse fixture in December produced a thrilling 2-2 draw. Münster scored in both the 91st and 96th minutes to claim an unlikely point. Notably, the last three competitive meetings between these teams have all finished level.

Team News

Hannover expect only one absence, with Benedikt Pichler unavailable for selection.

Münster face a lengthy injury list. Oscar Vilhelmsson, Etienne Amenyido, Marcel Benger, and Mikkel Kirkeskov are all sidelined with various fitness issues. Rico Preißinger serves a suspension, while Joshua Mees faces a late fitness test due to muscle problems.

Predicted Line-ups

Hannover 96 (3-4-2-1): Noll (GK) – Allgeier, Tomiak, Nawrocki – Aseko Nkili, Thórdarson, Leopold, Neubauer – Yokota, Taïbi – Källman

SC Preußen Münster (3-4-1-2): Schenk (GK) – Heuer, Koulis, Jaeckel – ter Horst, Hendrix, Schulz, Makridis – Bouchama – Rondić, Batista Meier