St. Pauli savors their top spot. - Underdogs Transform into Triumphant Champions
Luckily, no deceitfulness or unrest took place, but there was an outburst of rejoicing from the Pauli supporters among the 12,100 spectators. 2:1 at Wehen Wiesbaden - following their promotion, FC St. Pauli also secured the second division championship on the concluding matchday and were awarded with the corresponding championship trophy during the festivities at the Spielbuden-Platz on Monday.
Whereas hosts Wehen Wiesbaden fretted over the condition of the ground for their relegation match against Regensburg, the Kiez's players gradually shifted their celebration into the dressing room. "We are the champions" echoed through the speakers and captain Jackson Irvine practiced with a cardboard champion's trophy.
Irvine: "We expressed from day one: we don't just want to get promoted - we want to be champions. And we lived that every day."
For a while, it didn't seem like the atmosphere of a celebration. Franko Kovacevic (10) headed Wehen into the lead, and it wasn't until the second half that St. Pauli seized their chances - through two newcomers!
Lesser-known players become St. Pauli's champion heroes!
Justin Rpoint (51') and Dasa Fydoia (82') secured the title with their initial goals of the season!
Forward Rpoint had only made seven brief appearances in 2024, amassing a total of 34 minutes. Now he scored swiftly after coming on as a substitute: "It's unbelievable! So many emotions are coursing through your body."
Fydoia had a more complex load of feelings, last appearing on the field in the 0-0 draw against Hannover on November 10. The Czech, who was substituted in the 65th minute: "It was tough to stay motivated throughout the season. But in the end, it's the team that counts. I'm so fulfilled. When I scored the goal, a lot was running through my head."
Interestingly, the Fydoia goal was created by Bill Bank in his return game after tearing his cruciate ligament. Captain Irvine: "You couldn't have scripted a more ideal narrative."
Just so you know, St. Pauli's leading scorer Marcel Hartel wasn't present, as he and Elias Saad were absent due to illness. It's possible, considering his contract expires at the end of June, that his appearance in the 3:1 victory against Osnabrück was his last for St. Pauli.
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Source: symclub.org
