MSV Duisburg promoted to 3. Liga despite 1. FC Bocholt loss

Duisburg seals promotion to 3. Liga, Bocholt relegated to Oberliga

MSV Duisburg secured promotion to 3. Liga on Saturday despite a 3-1 defeat to 1. FC Bocholt in the Regionalliga West. The Zebras finished second in the standings, while Bocholt was relegated to the Oberliga.

Duisburg's promotion

Duisburg's promotion is a return to the third tier of German football after a two-year absence. The club was relegated to the Regionalliga in 2020 after finishing bottom of 3. Liga.

Duisburg has been in impressive form this season, winning 22 of their 38 games. They finished second in the table, just one point behind champions Preußen Münster.

Bocholt's relegation

Bocholt's relegation is a disappointing end to a season that promised so much. The club was top of the table in October, but a run of poor form saw them drop down the standings.

Bocholt finished 18th in the table, just two points above the relegation zone. They will now play in the Oberliga next season.

Dietmar Hirsch's future

The future of Bocholt coach Dietmar Hirsch is uncertain following the club's relegation.

Hirsch has been in charge of Bocholt since 2019, and he led the club to promotion to the Regionalliga in 2020.

It remains to be seen whether Hirsch will remain in charge of Bocholt next season.