The Bundesliga season came to a painful ending for Estonian international Karol Mets and FC St. Pauli, who were unable to secure survival after suffering a decisive 1-3 home defeat against direct relegation rivals Wolfsburg on the final matchday.
The encounter was effectively a relegation shootout, with St. Pauli, Wolfsburg and Heidenheim all entering the final round level on 26 points. Two of those three clubs were set to be automatically relegated to the 2. Bundesliga.
For Mets, the occasion also carried personal significance as the Estonian defender celebrated his 33rd birthday on Saturday. After missing one match, the experienced centre-back returned to the squad and was named on the bench for what became the most important game of St. Pauli’s season.
The visitors struck first during the opening half when Greek defender Konstantinos Koulierakis found the net to give Wolfsburg a 1-0 advantage. St. Pauli managed to revive hopes after the break thanks to former Paide Linnameeskond striker Abdoulie Ceesay, who continued his excellent form by scoring for the third consecutive match to level the score at 1-1.
However, the home side’s hopes quickly faded. Just minutes after the equaliser, goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj endured a nightmare moment by sending the ball into his own net, restoring Wolfsburg’s lead. The visitors then had a golden opportunity to put the match beyond doubt when Christian Eriksen stepped up for a penalty, only to smash his effort against the crossbar.
Wolfsburg eventually sealed the result regardless, with Dženan Pejčinović making it 3-1 three minutes later and confirming St. Pauli’s relegation back to the 2. Bundesliga after only two seasons in Germany’s top flight.
Heidenheim also suffered defeat on the final day against Mainz and joined St. Pauli in automatic relegation, while Wolfsburg still have work to do as they must now contest the promotion-relegation playoff against a 2. Bundesliga side for the final place in next season’s Bundesliga.
Although Mets returned to the squad for the decisive fixture, the Estonian defender did not come off the bench on his birthday. The centre-back, who has spent four seasons at St. Pauli, made 33 Bundesliga appearances across the club’s two campaigns in the top division, scoring once. His contract with the Hamburg-based club expires this summer.
Meanwhile, another Estonian international, Karl Jakob Hein, also ended the Bundesliga season with defeat as Werder Bremen lost 0-2 against Borussia Dortmund. Hein, who has been sidelined with a hand injury since mid-March and spent the season on loan from Arsenal, managed only two appearances for Werder. Bremen had already secured Bundesliga survival before the final round and will remain in the top flight next season.
