News: Relegation, Mats Hummels, Stade Reims

Heidenheim vs. Elversberg wasn't the ultimate quick-fire game. That was to be expected. But the fact that even the 15,000-seat Voith Arena wasn't sold out can hardly be blamed on Heidi Klum's parallel show "Germany's Next Top Model." Perhaps the fans feared they'd see two teams in rickety pumps and therefore a game riddled with anxiety – as has often been the case with relegation matches in the recent past. Oh well. Those who stayed home were punished by two teams that obviously have a great desire to play first-division football. At the beginning, the game seemed to have the roles reversed: Heidenheim – fiercely determined but green behind the ears – struggled in vain like an overambitious second-division team. Elversberg – shockingly off-kilter – made it 2-0 in the first half – like a first-division team that just needs to remember to be better. Later in the evening, the committed hosts managed to level the score at 2-2. Thus, after 90 minutes, a game came to an end that was so much better than the Europa League final between Tottenham and United. And since all the jokes about the two clubs' dwarfism have long since been put to rest, one thing can be said after last night: In this form, both teams would be an asset to the Premier League.