Nürnberg clinch safety while Kaiserslautern must wait

Heading into the penultimate round of 2. Bundesliga action, two of Germany's most tradition-rich clubs both had a chance to secure second division football for themselves next year. Rhineland-Pfalz's 1. FC Kaiserslautern travelled to the Olympiastadion in Berlin hoping to replicate the success they had against Charlottenburg's "alte Dame" earlier this year in the DFB-Pokal quarterfinals. Middle Franconia's 1. FC Nürnberg, meanwhile, played host to promoted side SV Elveserberg at the Max Morlock Stadium. 

Nürnberg were able to secure a comfortable win over their Saarland guests. German-Turkish midfield prospect Can Uzun - heavily linked with a move to the Bundesliga next season - netted one goal and set up another in "Der Club's" vital victory. Lautern were able to overcome an early penalty goal via a piece of magnificent set-piece brilliance from Marlon Ritter. Unfortunately, a 1-1 scoreline didn't hold for die Pfälzer. Hertha attackers Fabian Reese and Jeremy Dudziak propelled the capital city hosts to victory. 

In 14th-place on 36 points, Lautern still managed to avoid the prospect of direct relegation courtesy of the fact that 17th-placed Hansa Rostock lost 1-2 away at Schalke. With some help in tomorrow afternoon's 2. Bundesliga encounter between Eintracht Braunschweig and SV Wehen Wiesbaden, die "rote Teufel" can also avoid any chance of having to contest the promotion-relegation playoffs. Should hosting Braunschweig beat Wiesbaden tomorrow, both Lautern and Braunschweig will be assured of safety.