Who thought that after Mainz 05's 2-1 win at FC St. Pauli and securing their Bundesliga spot, a big party would be celebrated? That was wrong. The Rhinelanders celebrated, but moderately, even for Mainz standards. What was mainly at stake was that the team of coach Urs Fischer was now thinking about something other than staying in the Bundesliga. A new European qualification is possible under certain circumstances. Who would have thought that when Coach Fischer took over Mainz 05 at the beginning of December? At that time, the Rhinelanders were sixth with six points from 13 games on the 18th place in the table. Under the Swiss, Nadiem Amiri, Paul Nebel and Co. then scored 32 points from 19 games - and that despite the long double burden with games in the Conference League on weeknights. And exactly for this competition, a new qualification is possible. There is still a slim chance of reaching the Conference League. And even if no one officially says so, the Nullfivers are now secretly aiming again at Europe. Fact is: For international business, everything would have to fit. Mainz 05 is tenth with currently 37 points (minus 9 goal difference). The Fischer team must win their two final Bundesliga games against Union Berlin (10.05., 19:30) and against 1. FC Heidenheim (16.05., 15:30) to reach eighth place. Maximal is for the Rhinelanders still eighth place possible. Currently, the Rhine-Main rival Eintracht Frankfurt is in eighth place with 43 points (minus 3 goal difference). The Hessen, who are playing a weak second half, must still play against BVB and at home against VfB Stuttgart. In their current form, two defeats for the SGE are not unlikely. Between Mainz and Frankfurt is still FC Augsburg (40, minus 14). Here, the Nullfivers would have to make three points, the FCA will still play against Gladbach and Union Berlin. Fingers crossed for SC Freiburg. The own homework to be done, while the competition is letting go, is not enough. To reach eighth place for the Conference League, SC Freiburg would also have to win the Europa League, but would not be able to secure a European starting place in the league, as this would otherwise have to be returned to UEFA. The Breisgauer will play the return match against Sporting Braga (21:00, live stream on swr.de/sport) on Thursday at home, after losing the first leg 1-2. If the Sport-Club, which is currently seventh in the Bundesliga with 44 points, wins the title, they will start next season in the Champions League. There would also be another starting place if the Bundesliga were to push Spain from second place in the current UEFA season ranking. After Atletico Madrid's exit from the Champions League against Arsenal on Tuesday evening (05.05.), Spain has only one club left in the competition, Rayo Vallecano (in the Conference League semi-final against Strasbourg). The Bundesliga as third has currently two representatives in the Champions League semi-final, Freiburg and Bayern against Paris St. Germain. If the FCB and SCF reach the final, while Rayo is eliminated, a fifth top-class starting place for Germany would be secure.