In a dramatic finale to their home season, FC Erzgebirge Aue succumbed to a 2:3 defeat against SV Sandhausen at the Erzgebirgsstadion on May 10, 2025. In front of 10,846 passionate fans, the home side's hopes were dashed despite a spirited start, leaving the supporters in a state of disappointment.
The atmosphere in the stadium was electric before kickoff, fueled by a traditional fan march organized by the active supporters of Aue. The Veilchen fans were in high spirits, creating a vibrant backdrop that filled the stadium with noise, almost drowning out the announcements by the stadium speaker, Mario Dörfler. However, this enthusiasm quickly turned to frustration as the match unfolded.
Head coach Jens Härtel made four changes to his lineup compared to the previous week’s 1:0 victory over Ingolstadt. In came Tim Kips, Pascal Fallmann, Tim Hoffmann, and Sean Seitz, as the team prepared to bid farewell to several players at the end of the season. The changes, however, seemed to unsettle the Veilchen, as they struggled to find their rhythm early in the match.
It took just ten minutes for Sandhausen to capitalize on Aue's disorganization, with Besar Halimi striking first. After a chaotic moment in Aue's defense, Halimi found himself in the right place to slot home the opening goal, sending the visiting fans into jubilation. Aue's Sean Seitz had a golden opportunity to equalize just two minutes later, but his shot was parried by Sandhausen's keeper, Nikolai Rehnen, keeping the score at 0:1.
As the first half progressed, Sandhausen continued to threaten, with Niklas Kreuzer hitting the bar from a direct free kick in the 5th minute and several other chances going begging. Aue, while enjoying more possession, failed to convert their control into meaningful opportunities, leading to a frustrating half-time for players and fans alike.
After the break, Aue came out with renewed energy, and it paid off in the 62nd minute when Boris Tashchy managed to level the score. A defensive error from Edvinas Girdvainis allowed Tashchy to pounce and score, igniting hopes of a comeback among the home crowd.
However, the joy was short-lived. Just 14 minutes later, Luca-Milan Zander restored Sandhausen's lead, showcasing his strength and determination to score from a tricky cross. The visitors were back in front, and the air in the stadium thickened with tension as Aue searched for another equalizer.
In the 84th minute, Aue was awarded a penalty after Omar Sijaric was fouled in the box. Marvin Stefaniak stepped up to take the spot-kick and coolly converted, bringing the score to 2:2. The fans erupted once again, believing that a third equalizer was within reach.
But the match had one final twist in store. In the dying moments of the game, Dominic Baumann, who had just come on as a substitute, scored the decisive goal for Sandhausen in the first minute of stoppage time. A well-placed header from a free kick delivered by Zander sent the visiting supporters into raptures and sealed a heartbreaking defeat for Aue.
The final whistle blew, and the initial joy of the home crowd turned into a chorus of boos as the players were left to face the reality of their performance. The game marked the end of the season for Aue, who finished in 12th place with 49 points, while Sandhausen, despite the victory, remained at the bottom of the table with only 32 points, having already been relegated.
After the match, Aue held a farewell ceremony for departing players Sean Seitz, Mirnes Pepic, Omar Sijaric, Tim Hoffmann, and Kilian Jakob. Notably, Niko Vukancic was not included in the farewell, indicating that he might continue with the club beyond the summer.
As both teams look ahead, Aue will be seeking to regroup and build for the next season, while Sandhausen plans to start afresh in the Regionalliga under new coach Olaf Janßen. The upcoming weeks will be crucial for both clubs as they navigate their respective futures in the world of German football.
