Philipp Klement celebrates his goal as Paderborn went up. Robert Michael/picture alliance via Getty Images
SC Paderborn completed a remarkable return to the Bundesliga next season despite a 3-1 defeat to Dynamo Dresden on Sunday.
Paderborn, who reached the Bundesliga for the first time in 2014-15, were relegated that season and again the following season to fall to the third tier. In 2016-17, they narrowly avoided a third relegation in three seasons (to the Regionalliga) despite finishing 18th, as 1860 Munich's administration error and failure to secure a licence to play saw them stay up.
Yet, incredibly, they finished second the next year to climb back up to 2.Bundesliga.
Schluss in Bochum! Es reicht! Wir steigen in die @Bundesliga_DE auf! JAAAAAAAA! BUNDESLIGAAAAAA! #SCP07 #HalloBundesliga pic.twitter.com/HLbWhj1cBa
— SC Paderborn 07 (@SCPaderborn07) May 19, 2019
Knowing all they needed to do was beat or equal Union Berlin's result against Bochum to claim the second automatic place behind already-promoted FC Cologne, Paderborn went ahead in the 10th minute.
Germany under-20 midfielder Philipp Klement netted his 16th goal of the season, before Dynamo hit back quickly through Baris Atik.
Atik then scored again either side of half-time to complete his hat trick and seal the win, but Paderborn were promoted as Union drew 2-2 with 10-man Bochum.
Down 2-0, Union scored twice in the final 10 minutes but couldn't get a winner as they finished third in the league on goal difference (five behind Paderborn) and a point ahead of Hamburg in fourth. They will contest the relegation playoff against VfB Stuttgart.
Source: espn.co.uk