HSV spoil St. Pauli's chance at direct promotion, Düsseldorf secure vital three points

Three of the four teams at the top of the 2. Bundesliga table were in action on Friday night in a massive pair of simultaneous Friday night kickoffs in the German second division. FC S. Pauli, Hamburger SV, and Fortuna Düsseldorf all helped raise the curtain on the second divisions 32nd match-day. Most German footballing eyes were focused on the famous Hamburger "Stadt-Derby". First-placed FC St Pauli traveled to fourth-placed rivals Hamburger SV with a chance to secure automatic promotion back to the Bundesliga with a victory. Steffen Baumgart's HSV - entering the match four points behind promotion-relegation place playoff holders Fortuna Düsseldorf - were effectively playing to preserve what slender hopes they had for promotion after five seasons spent in the "Unterhaus".  This hosting Rothosen were able to preserve slim hopes of securing the relegation playoff place for the third consecutive season alive with a huge home win. Düsseldorf were also able to pick up three points, however, leaving "Der Dino" four points off third-place.