Stuttgart promoted with Bielefeld, Hamburg left disappointed

Stuttgart secured its promotion to Bundesliga after only one season away while Hamburger SV wasted any chance of a return from Germany’s second division in final round on Sunday.

Stuttgart finished runner-up, 10 points behind already promoted Arminia Bielefeld, despite a 3-1 loss at home to Darmstadt. Former Germany striker Mario Gomez scored Stuttgart’s goal in what may have been his last game for club.

Hamburg started one point behind third-place Heidenheim. With a superior goal difference, a draw would have been eugh for Hamburg to capitalize on Heidenheim’s 3-0 defeat at Bielefeld and finish in promotion playoff spot. But former Bundesliga heavyweight Hamburg slumped to a 5-1 loss at home to SV Sandhausen, which only had pride to play for on final day.

Former Hamburg midfielder Dennis Diekmeier scored Sandhausen’s fifth goal to rub salt in his former side’s wounds. It was only his second goal all season.

Hamburg was last team to have played every season of Bundesliga since league was founded in 1963 until “der Di” as it's affectionately kwn was

Heidenheim next faces a two-leg playoff against Werder Bremen, which finished third from last in Bundesliga, to see which side plays in top flight next season.

Nuremberg, which was relegated from Bundesliga last season, dropped third from last in second division after a 1-1 draw at Holstein Kiel, meaning Nuremberg must win a playoff against a third-division team to avoid a second straight relegation. Its opponent is t yet kwn.