The history of Energie Cottbus
Milestones and background from the club's history, in chronological order.
More milestones and background for each event.
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Competitions
Nicknames through the years Three names tell a story of near misses, late goals and an unbeaten season. Read the storiesClose the stories
The BSG and the DDR-Oberliga
First promotion to the DDR-Oberliga
A 1–1 draw against Vorwärts Stralsund secures Energie their first promotion to the DDR-Oberliga.
After losing 7–0 at Riesa a week earlier, a draw against their remaining challenger is enough.
A third promotion to the Oberliga
A 1–0 win over Chemie Buna Schkopau clinches Energie’s third promotion to the Oberliga.
Ten points in the promotion round are sufficient before their final match because Union Berlin have completed their fixtures on eight.
Four goals seal promotion
Energie beat Post Neubrandenburg 4–0 on the final day and return to the Oberliga.
BFC Dynamo’s reserves win the division but are ineligible for promotion, leaving Cottbus as the highest-placed eligible team.
Division champions and a fifth Oberliga promotion
BSG Energie Cottbus2:0
Motor SchönebeckMatch 1 · May 14, 1988 · Location: Cottbus Stadium: Stadion der FreundschaftMotor Babelsberg2:1
BFC Dynamo IIMatch 2 · May 14, 1988 · Location: Potsdam Stadium: Karl-Liebknecht-StadionA 2–0 win over Motor Schönebeck secures Energie’s fifth promotion to the DDR-Oberliga.
With BFC Dynamo’s reserves losing at Babelsberg, the divisional championship is also settled: Cottbus have 46 points while their challengers can reach no more than 45.
Cup final and the breakthrough
The breakthrough into the 2. Bundesliga
Hannover 960:0
Energie CottbusFirst leg · May 29, 1997 · Location: Hannover Stadium: NiedersachsenstadionEnergie Cottbus3:1Hannover 96Second leg · June 5, 1997 · Location: Cottbus Stadium: Stadion der FreundschaftA 3–1 victory over Hannover 96 takes Energie into the 2. Bundesliga for the first time.
After a goalless first leg, the tie is decided at Stadion der Freundschaft, where Detlef Irrgang scores twice.
Six years in the Bundesliga
First promotion to the Bundesliga
A 2–0 win over 1. FC Köln secures the third promotion place on the final day.
Just three years after entering the 2. Bundesliga, Eduard Geyer’s team reach the Bundesliga for the first time.
Back in the Bundesliga
A 3–1 victory over 1860 Munich secures Energie’s second promotion to the Bundesliga.
Petrik Sander’s team retain third place on the final day, ending three years in the second tier.
Cup run, relegations and new beginnings
The return to the 3. Liga
SC Weiche Flensburg 082:3
Energie CottbusFirst leg · May 24, 2018 · Location: Kiel Stadium: Holstein-StadionEnergie Cottbus0:0SC Weiche Flensburg 08Second leg · May 27, 2018 · Location: Cottbus Stadium: Stadion der FreundschaftFollowing a 3–2 first-leg win over SC Weiche Flensburg 08, a goalless return is enough for Energie.
The opening match was played in Kiel; Cottbus complete their return to the 3. Liga at Stadion der Freundschaft.
The road back to the second tier
Championship and direct promotion
A 2–0 win at Hertha BSC’s reserves secures the championship ahead of Greifswald.
This time the North-East champions gain direct promotion, ending five years in the Regionalliga.
Back in the second tier after twelve years
A 1–0 win at Jahn Regensburg secures direct promotion to the 2. Bundesliga on the final day.
Twelve years after relegation, Energie return to the second tier.
