Bundesliga: Bochum, Greuther Fürth promoted back to top division

The top two is automatically promoted to Germany’s top division, with Kiel – the third-place finisher – now facing a two-leg playoff against Cologne.

Bochum players celebrate with the trophy on Sunday.

Bochum defeated SV Sandhausen 3-1 on Sunday to earn Bundesliga promotion as second division champions with runner-up Greuther Fürth also clinching promotion on the final day.

Fürth came from behind despite playing the second half with 10 men to beat Fortuna Düsseldorf 3-2 and take advantage of Holstein Kiel’s 3-2 loss at home to Darmstadt.

The top two is automatically promoted to Germany’s top division, with Kiel – the third-place finisher – now facing a two-leg playoff against Cologne, which finished third from bottom in the Bundesliga, to see which plays where next season.

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Bochum won the division with 67 points from 34 games, three more than Fürth, with Kiel – which had been second – dropping two points further back.

Kiel was winning 1-0 and on course for promotion, but appeared uncertain after Janni Serra’s early goal and went on to concede three goals to Darmstadt, a team that only had pride at stake.

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It was Kiel’s second missed chance at promotion after losing 3-2 at Karlsruher SC last weekend.

American midfielder Julian Green equalized for Fürth to make it 2-2 against Düsseldorf before the 22-year-old Dickson Abiama fired the winner to secure Fürth’s return to the top division.

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Fürth was previously promoted in 2012. Bochum is back in the Bundesliga after an 11-year absence.