On Saturday, the relegated 1. FC Heidenheim secured a turbulent victory over the promoted VfL Osnabrück with a score of 4:3 (3:2), and climbed straight to the top of the table in their first match.
The coach Frank Schmidt, who is already in his 20th season as FCH-Trainer, started the game dreamlike. Budu Siwsiwadse scored early with a goal at 10 minutes (1:0) and then also scored again to make it 2:0 (15), but his second goal was disallowed for offside.
VfL Osnabrück got the chance to fight back with a single action. Niklas Wiemann extended an in-swinging cross with his head to equalize at 23 minutes. Six minutes later, Marcel Costly scored again for Heidenheim (29), and David Kopacz countered immediately with a stunning shot (34).
The game remained breathless. Jan Schöppner brought Heidenheim back into the lead via a header, which they held until the end. Marvin Pieringer added one more goal late in the match (89). VfL Osnabrück demonstrated its class with another goal from Robin Meißner (90.+/penalty), showing that after their best third-tier campaign ever, it can also compete at a higher level.
With this victory and their top position in the table, Heidenheim starts with a strong momentum into the 2. Bundesliga.
