Heidenheim Draws Elversberg 2-2 in Bundesliga Playoff First Leg

Heidenheim staged a dramatic comeback from a 2-0 halftime deficit to secure a 2-2 draw at home against Elversberg in the first leg of the Bundesliga promotion/relegation playoff. Elversberg took an early lead with goals from Lukas Petkov and Fisnik Asllani, putting them in a strong position as a second-division team aiming for their first top-flight promotion. However, Heidenheim fought back with second-half goals from Tim Siersleben and Mathias Honsak, leveling the match within minutes and keeping the playoff wide open. The decisive second leg will take place in Elversberg, a town of just 13,000 people, on May 26, where the winner earns a spot in the Bundesliga for the 2025/26 season. Historically, Bundesliga teams have dominated these playoffs, with second-division sides rarely succeeding, though Union Berlin won promotion this way in 2019. Both coaches acknowledged the open nature of the tie, with Elversberg determined to capitalize on their home advantage in the return leg.