Mainz 05 Makes History with UEFA Conference League Round of 16 Qualification

FSV Mainz 05 has advanced to the Round of 16 in the UEFA Conference League for the first time in the club's history following a 2-0 victory over Turkish team Samsunspor. The decisive match took place at Mainz's Mewa Arena in front of 33,000 fans and marked the successful home debut for new coach Urs Fischer. Mainz's captain Silvan Widmer opened the scoring in the 44th minute, with midfielder Nadiem Amiri converting a penalty just minutes into the second half to secure the win.

Goalkeeper Daniel Batz played a pivotal role by making crucial saves, stepping in for the injured Robin Zentner to help keep a clean sheet. Defensive resilience ensured that Mainz held firm throughout the match against a strong Turkish opponent.

This significant achievement allows Mainz to bypass the Conference League playoff matches that were scheduled for February, with their next European fixture set for March 12 in the knockout stage. Buoyed by a recent Bundesliga draw against Bayern Munich, the team will now return focus to their domestic campaign amid the relegation battle.

Mainz's progression in European competition underscores their growing stature and marks a historic moment for the club, celebrated by both players and fans alike.