Eintracht Braunschweig finish their season at the bottom of the Bundesliga after a 3-1 defeat away to Hoffenheim ended their slender chances of top-flight survival.
The hosts took the lead in the 15th minute when Andreas Beck played a lofted pass into the centre of the box for Sebastian Rudy to head home from close range.
Braunschweig did not look like a side fighting for their survival, but they did come close to clawing a goal back when Mirko Boland picked out Karim Bellarabi, who was denied at close range by Jens Grahl.
Hoffenheim drove another nail into the visitors' coffin just after the hour mark as Roberto Firmino drilled an effort into the bottom corner after being lined up by Tobias Strobl.
There was no way back for Torsten Lieberknecht's side after the 70th minute when Kevin Volland added a third, condemning Braunschweig to second-tier football next season.
A late consolation strike from Jan Hochscheidt is unlikely to have lifted the visiting supporters' spirits after seeing their team bring the curtain down on a miserable season with another defeat.
Mark Langshaw
