Heidenheim vs Elversberg

Frank Schmidt’s men kicked off the season on a high note, sitting atop the Bundesliga table after two rounds with a perfect defensive record and six points. Their historic debut in the UEFA Conference League added to the sense of optimism, painting a picture of a dream season ahead. While their European qualification proved legitimate, the rest of the campaign brought increasing instability.

Heidenheim reached the Conference League playoffs but fell short against Copenhagen, raising questions about whether the European venture strained their squad. After winning their first two Bundesliga matches, they endured a 14-game winless streak, only returning to victory in January 2025 with a home win over Union Berlin. By that point, they had slipped into 16th place—a precarious position they managed to hold onto through the season’s close.

A late-season revival saw Schmidt rally his side to collect 14 points from their final ten fixtures, just enough to earn a relegation playoff spot. However, their form at home remains a major concern: one goal scored and no wins in their last four matches at Voith-Arena, suffering three defeats—a statistic that will no doubt embolden Elversberg and their supporters.

A few years back, in the 2021/22 season, SV Elversberg, nicknamed the "Elves," were battling in Germany’s fourth-tier Regionalliga. After clinching the title, they soared into the 3. Liga, securing promotion and professional status in their debut season. Fast forward to 2023/24, they held their own in the 2. Bundesliga, finishing a respectable 11th. This season, they’ve defied the odds, emerging as serious promotion contenders, falling just one point short of second-placed Hamburg.

Led by 56-year-old coach Horst Steffen, Elversberg operates on a shoestring budget, fielding a squad of free agents and loanees without ever paying a transfer fee. Hailing from the small town of Spiesen-Elversberg, with a population of just 13,000, the club embodies the underdog spirit. Starting the season with the 15th-most valuable squad in the 2. Bundesliga, they’ve since climbed to 12th.

Pundits predicted relegation, but Elversberg flipped the script. They scored 64 goals—second only to Hamburg’s 78—and conceded just 37, with only Hannover (36) faring better defensively. Their knack for clean sheets led the league.

In a football world ruled by big spenders, Elversberg’s rise is a testament to the sport’s charm and unpredictability. For context, Leroy Sané’s weekly wage could likely cover the club’s entire monthly payroll.

The squad includes 22-year-old midfielder Daniel Panchenko, who holds dual German-Ukrainian citizenship. Despite his potential, he’s yet to play this season, appearing on the matchday squad just four times.