Granted, it will look awkwardly when finished, surrounded by small and mismatched old terracing. But this 4,500-capacity stand for Holstein Kiel is also the beginning of a brand new stadium.

Over the past two weekends Holstein Kiel basically burried their chance of direct promotion to the Bundesliga. But even holding on to their current third spot leaves room for ascention through play-offs. However, their stadium is unfit regardless of the level they play on. Whether it's Bundesliga or 2. Bundesliga, it's just too small.

Being one of the oldest stadiums still in use in Germany (dating back to 1911) surely adds some charm, but not quality. Today's Holstein-Stadion holds under 12,000 and the minimum guideline for 2. Bundesliga is 15,000.

In the 2018/19 season it's going to be even worse, as only some 10,300 capacity will be left for use. This is due to the east side's old curved enclosure disappearing to make way for construction of a brand new stand.

Designed by AX5 architekten, the stand begins what is hoped to become a brand new stadium. Thus the size significantly outgrowing all remaining parts of the stadium. It's expected to accommodate roughly 4,500 people (estimated 2,782 standing in the lower tier, 1,702 sitting in the upper and 8 wheelchair positions).

Construction is expected to begin right after the current season ends and there should be no problem with obtaining a special permit to play with the reduced capacity until the new east stand is delivered. This should happen by August 2019, which would put it into operation just at the beginning of the next campaign.

It is hoped the stand would become the first of four, the next one being the south side. Here's where the two-tier layout will come handy, because there is a very narrow pass in the south-eastern corner and putting crowd circulation at an elevated promenade may be the most sensible solution.

Eventually the stadium should reach about 25,000 people. It was initially hoped to look like in the below renders, however the proposed roof structure of the new east stand seems to have been simplified already from this concept.