Nuremberg secures promotion to Bundesliga, Kiel gets playoff

AP

SANDHAUSEN, Germany (AP) — Nuremberg defeated SV Sandhausen 2-0 away on Sunday to secure its return to the Bundesliga as one of the top two in Germany's second division, while Holstein Kiel secured a place in the playoff for the top flight.

Goals in either half from Hanno Behrens and Tim Leibold helped Nuremberg take top spot in the division on goal difference from Fortuna Duesseldorf, an unassailable seven points clear of third-place Kiel with one round of games remaining.

Nuremberg, which won the Bundesliga in 1968, was relegated for a record eighth time in 2014 after five seasons in the top flight.

Kiel drew 1-1 at Duesseldorf, enough to secure the playoff for promotion. The top two qualify automatically for the top division, while the third-place finisher plays the team that finishes third from bottom in the Bundesliga in a two-legged playoff to decide which plays in the top flight next season.

Kiel was only promoted from the third division last season.

Duesseldorf, which last played one season in the Bundesliga in 2012-13, secured its return last weekend, and will play in Nuremberg in the final round next Sunday to decide which side progresses as second division champion.

Kaiserslautern, which won its last of four German championships in 1998, has already been relegated to the third division.