Latvian striker Roberts Uldriķis ended his season in Germany’s 2. Bundesliga on a high note after scoring in Arminia Bielefeld’s crucial 6-1 victory over Hertha Berlin, a result that secured the club’s survival in the division for next season. The match also featured a milestone for Estonian 20-year-old Soufian Gouram, who made his first-team debut for Hertha Berlin after previously playing for the club’s reserve side.
For Arminia, the final round carried enormous importance. Defeat would have guaranteed relegation back to Germany’s third tier, where the club had played only last season. The pressure initially showed, with Hertha taking the lead in the 37th minute after a difficult first half for the home side.
Everything changed dramatically after the break. Arminia exploded into life in the second half, scoring three goals in just 16 minutes to put themselves firmly on course for survival before adding a fourth only moments later. The atmosphere inside the stadium quickly transformed from tension to celebration as the home side completely overwhelmed their opponents.
Hertha introduced Gouram in the 83rd minute, handing the Estonian youngster his senior debut, while Uldriķis entered the pitch three minutes later for Arminia.
The hosts were not done yet. Deep into stoppage time Arminia first scored their fifth goal before Uldriķis completed the rout moments later. The Latvian striker received the ball inside the penalty area and powered a strong finish into the net to seal the emphatic 6-1 victory and cap off the season in perfect fashion.
The 28-year-old forward finished his first season in Germany’s second division with four goals and two assists in 17 league appearances, helping Arminia end the campaign in 13th place among the 18 teams in the league.
Meanwhile Gouram became the latest Estonian prospect to break into senior football abroad, with Hertha Berlin concluding the season in seventh place.
ESchalke secured promotion back to the Bundesliga, while Elversberg earned promotion to the top flight for the first time in club history.
