Off-Topic: VFB Stuttgart

Stuttgart's football club, VFB Stuttgart (Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart) isn't well known outside of Germany, but they're a club with a long history. They were the premier league champions in 1992, the first season containing East German teams after reunification. In the following years Stuttgart usually finished close to the top of the premier league, and they were league champions again in 2007.

Over the last six years it's been a bumpy ride. In 2014 and 2015 Stuttgart barely avoided relegation. In 2016 disaster struck, and they were relegated. It was only a brief stay in the German second league. In 2017 they were the second league champions and were promoted back to the premier league. In 2018 Stuttgart finished in a respectable seventh place in the premier league, but in 2019 they were relegated again.

The last year has been nail-biting. Arminia Bielefeld led the second league from early in the season, while Stuttgart was in third place, closely behind Hamburg. After 31 games (out of 34) Stuttgart was still in third place, trailing Hamburg by one point, but lagging behind in goal difference (Hamburg 21, Stuttgart 13).

In the 32nd game it seemed like Stuttgart finally woke up. In an empty stadium, Stuttgart beat Sandhausen 5–1, while Hamburg drew its game. Stuttgart was now one point ahead of Hamburg, though still behind in goal difference (21 to 17). It was too close to call.

Today's 33rd game has clinched it. Stuttgart hammered Nuremberg 6–0, while Hamburg lost 2–1 to Heidenheim. This has put Stuttgart 4 points ahead of Hamburg, as well as overtaking Hamburg's goal difference (20 to 23). Hamburg has dropped to fourth position behind Heidenheim.

Promotion is almost certain. Heidenheim is 3 points behind Stuttgart, so it's possible for the two clubs to become equal on points if Heidenheim wins the final game and Stuttgart loses. However, Heidenheim only has a goal difference of 12, so Heidenheim would need to score 12 goals more than Stuttgart to overtake them.

So let's get ready to see VFB Stuttgart back in the premier league. If the Coronavirus allows, I'll be sitting in the stadium cheering them on.