Köln back in the big time

Three-times Bundesliga winners 1. FC Köln have secured a return to the top flight after a 2-1 home victory against second division strugglers FC St. Pauli.

Bright future
Leaders Köln are now certain of finishing among the top three in their division with four games left. Fans of the club will hope promotion will be the first step towards challenging for major honours again as they did in reaching the UEFA Cup final in 1986, only to lose 5-3 on aggregate to Real Madrid CF.

'Tremendous boost'
Coach Friedhel Funkel was naturally delighted at the final whistle. "St. Pauli provided us with a stern challenge in the final match and my players had no more to give by the end of the match," he said. "But we had the fortune to secure promotion and this is, of course, a tremendous boost for the club."

Early lead
Defender Carsten Cullmann put Köln ahead with a header on 18 minutes before striker Francis Kioyo doubled the advantage from close range six minutes later. St. Pauli, who also dropped from the Bundesliga last season, pulled one back through midfield player Fabian Gerber in the 52nd minute but could not find an equaliser. While Köln contemplate a bright future, second-bottom St. Pauli face possible relegation to the regional league.

Two from three
Köln look set to be joined in the top flight by any two of SC Freiburg, Eintracht Frankfurt and 1. FSV Mainz 05. Freiburg are seven points behind in second while Frankfurt and Mainz are 12 points adrift in third and fourth respectively.