2. Bundesliga
From overhead kicks to long-range rockets, check out the very best goals from 50 years of Bundesliga 2...
Patrick Helmes
Cologne vs. Dynamo Dresden
2013/14, Matchday 18
Patrick Helmes was one of the players who played a decisive role in Cologne's 2013/14 promotion tilt, with the then 30-year-old striker scoring 12 league goals that term. And his effort against Dynamo Dresden on matchday 18 was a belter. It was some day for Helmes, who scored twice and provided an assist in a 3-1 win.
Carlos Silvio
Union Berlin vs. Ingolstadt
2011/12, Matchday 7
Union Berlin fought it out in Bundesliga 2 for a decade before their long-awaited promotion to the top-flight in 2019. In their third second-division campaign, Carlos Silvio produced this special goal. Patrick Kohlmann's raking pass found Torsten Mattuschka, whose volley into the middle was met with Silvio's acrobatic finish - the ball not touching the ground in the process.
Taifour Diane
Alemannia Aachen vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach
1999/00, Matchday 21
After nine years in Germany's regional leagues, Alemannia Aachen returned to Bundesliga 2 in 1999 and their fans were treated that year to this beauty from Taifour Diane. He produced a stunning overhead kick against a Borussia Mönchengladbach outfit that featured current Bayern sports director Max Eberl in defence.
Sérgio da Silva Pinto
Alemannia Aaachen vs. Paderborn
2005/06, Matchday 14
Fast forward to the 2005/06 season, which went down in Aachen's history books as the club earned a spot in the Bundesliga for the first time since 1970. Under coach Dieter Hecking, Aachen finished second and got to enjoy Sérgio da Silva Pinto's sensational goal against Paderborn. In the snow, from distance, top corner - yes, please!
Marcel Hartel
Union Berlin vs. Cologne
2018/19, Matchday 19
The season that sealed Union's historic first promotion to the top-flight saw Marcel Hartel produce this stunning overhead kick against Cologne. The striker's movement to meet the cross and control on his chest is already perfect, even before sending the overhead effort straight into the far corner.
Christian Sackewitz
Alemannia Aachen vs. Arminia Bielefeld
1977/78, Matchday 27
In 1978, Arminia Bielefeld secured the championship in what was then Bundesliga 2 North, a campaign that contained this special Christian Sackewitz effort. He found the back of the net direct from a corner kick fon the right, earning the Sportschau Goal of the Month Award for February with his winner.
Josip Brekalo
Heidenheim vs. VfB Stuttgart
2016/17, Matchday 21
The 2016/17 season proved to be a brief stopover for VfB Stuttgart, who closed out the year as champions to book an immediate return to the top flight. Josip Brekalo marked the campaign in style against Heidenheim, cutting inside from the left and letting fly with a bending effort that clipped the far post before settling into the back of the net.
Matthias Lehmann
Saarbrücken vs. 1860 Munich
2004/05, Matchday 12
After a 10-year stay in the Bundesliga, 1860 Munich dropped down to the second division ahead of the 2004/05 season, where they remained for some time. In their first Bundesliga 2 campaign since 1994, the Lions narrowly missed out on promotion but got to celebrate this long-range rocket from Matthias Lehmann.
Alexander Voigt
Cologne vs. Mainz
2002/03, Matchday 26
Cologne earned immediate promotion back to the Bundesliga in 2003, something Mainz narrowly missed out on at the end of the season. That was despite the 05ers claiming a 4-1 win over the Billy Goats on Matchday 26. The result didn't go Cologne's way that day but Alexander Voigt's remarkable long-distance effort was some consolation.
Wolfgang Sidka
VfL Osnabrück vs. 1860 Munich
1981/82, Matchday 21
In the 1981/82 season, 1869 Munich narrowly missed out on promotion and were ultimately relegated despite finishing fourth as their licence was revoked due to financial issues. Rudi Völler's league-leading 37 goals were something to saviour, though, as was Wolfgang Sidka's wonderful volley in injury-time against VfL Osnabrück.