The Thuringia derby[1] (German: Thüringenderby) is a long-standing and intense football rivalry between the two major clubs from the German state of Thuringia - FC Carl Zeiss Jena and Rot-Weiß Erfurt. It is considered one of the most heated regional derbies in German football.

Thuringia derby
Location Thuringia
TeamsCarl Zeiss Jena
Rot-Weiß Erfurt
First meetingTurbine Erfurt 2–1 Motor Jena
(19 November 1952)
1952–53 Oberliga West
Latest meetingCarl Zeiss Jena 5–1 Rot-Weiß Erfurt
(4 September 2024)
2024–25 Regionalliga Nordost
Next meetingRot-Weiß Erfurt v Carl Zeiss Jena
(23 February 2025)
2024–25 Regionalliga Nordost
StadiumsErnst-Abbe-Sportfeld (Carl Zeiss Jena)
Steigerwaldstadion (Rot-Weiß Erfurt)
Statistics
Meetings total93
Most winsCarl Zeiss Jena (38)
Thuringia derby is located in Thuringia
Carl Zeiss Jena
Carl Zeiss Jena
Rot-Weiß Erfurt
Rot-Weiß Erfurt

History

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The derby dates back to the 1950s when both clubs were leading teams in East Germany's top division, the DDR-Oberliga. During this era, FC Carl Zeiss Jena and Rot-Weiß Erfurt were the dominant clubs in the Thuringia region, and their matches were highly anticipated and passionately contested.[citation needed]

After German reunification in 1990, the derby continued in the reunified Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga as the two clubs spent many seasons in the same division, ensuring the rivalry remained fierce. Matches between FC Carl Zeiss Jena and Rot-Weiß Erfurt are known for their intense atmospheres, with fans of both teams creating tense and hostile environments in the stadiums.[2]

Notable matches

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Some of the most memorable Thuringia derby matches include:

The 1998 match, in which FC Carl Zeiss Jena defeated Rot-Weiß Erfurt 3-2, represents the largest documented margin of victory in a Thuringia derby.

Current status

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As of the 2024-25 season, both FC Carl Zeiss Jena and Rot-Weiß Erfurt play in the Regionalliga Nordost, Germany's [4 teir]. Their most recent meeting was a 1-1 draw in August 2023. The Thuringia Derby remains an important fixture for the supporters of both clubs, who continue to passionately back their team in these regional clashes.

Statistics

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Competition Played Carl Zeiss Jena wins Draws Rot-Weiß Erfurt wins Carl Zeiss Jena goals Rot-Weiß Erfurt goals
2. Bundesliga 2 2 0 0 2 0
3. Liga 10 3 1 6 9 15
Oberliga West 63 27 17 19 91 63
Regionalliga Nord 2 2 0 0 3 0
Regionalliga Nordost 11 2 7 2 15 12
Regionalliga Süd 2 0 2 0 0 0
FDGB-Pokal 3 2 1 0 9 5
Total 93 38 28 27 129 95

References

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  1. ^ "The Thüringen Derby". Covert Football Trips. 7 March 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Erfurt and Jena file criminal charges after derby riots". Die Sachen. 28 March 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.