Bundesliga
Greuther Fürth extended their recent run of good results after Jeremy Dudziak's first-half strike and a Stefan Bell own goal helped the resurgent hosts to an important victory against visiting Mainz.
Greuther Fürth 2-1 Mainz
Goals: 1-0 Dudziak 12' (assist: Seguin), 2-0 Bell (o.g.) 66', 2-1 Onisiwo 90'+3 (assist: Stöger)
Fürth have displayed plenty of grit and determination of late as they fight for their Bundesliga lives. The division's last-placed team were unbeaten in their previous three games before welcoming Mainz and had gone mightily close to a much-needed win at Arminia Bielefeld last time out. It was exactly that drive that saw the Cloverleaves power into an early lead at the Sportpark Ronhof. With the 05ers getting into a defensive muddle, Paul Seguin pounced and fed Dudziak who rifled home an attractive finish from inside the area. Mainz had ambitions of their own going into this Matchday 20 game, the visitors keen to stay in touch with the European spots. That Bo Svensson's men failed to go in at least level at the break was down to Anton Stach hitting the crossbar and Jetro Willems then doing the same with an attempted clearance. Between times, Jonathan Burkardt had a shot smartly saved by Sascha Burchert.
Up against it for large parts against their attacking opponents, Fürth were nonetheless buoyed by the fact they had taken a lead into the break for the first time this season. Stefan Leitl's men could - and possibly should - have been celebrating even more after the restart when Dudziak's through ball found Jamie Leweling free in front of goal. Relief for Mainz followed when Robin Zentner just managed to divert the Fürth striker's shot over the bar. Any respite the visitors felt was short-lived, however, after Bell - under no pressure - diverted Dudziak's centre from the right into his own net. Karim Onisiwo headed one back for Mainz before the end, but it would be the home team's day as they dare to dream of what might yet come from a previously punishing campaign.
Fürth: Burchert – Meyerhöfer, Griesbeck, Viergever, Willems (Itter 69') – Seguin, Christiansen, Tillman (Abiama 85') – Dudziak (Nielsen 77') – Leweling (Bauer 84'), Hrgota (c)
Unused subs: Linde, Asta, Pululu, Jung
Out: Funk (knee), Hoogma (not included), Kehr (knee), Ngankam (knee)
Coach: Stefan Leitl
Mainz: Zentner - St. Juste, Bell (Hack 66'), Niakhate (c) - Widmer (Brosinski 80'), Barreiro, Stach (Stöger 72'), Lee (Nebel 72'), Martin (Boëtius 66') - Onisiwo, Burkardt
Unused subs: Dahmen, Lucoqui, Papela, Nemeth
Out: Ingvartsen (groin), Kohr (thigh), Szalai (head), Tauer (adductor)
Coach: Bo Svensson