Paderborn hosted Mainz 05 on matchday one, giving a packed out Benteler Arena their first taste of Bundesliga action.
They started on the front foot too, Koc having the first effort when he smashed an effort over the bar from a tight angle. It has been a fairytale story for the midfielder, who was sentenced to four years in prison in 2012 for robbery, only to be released early for good behaviour.
After defeat in the DFB Pokal and Europa League already, you could understand the nerves coming into this game for the visitors, and they had to get back into the game quickly. The impressive Johannes Geis trying his luck from long-range, but his shot was wayward and off target.
His delivery was better though, putting in a teasing ball for Okazaki, who probably should’ve done better with his header. Both sides struggled to break through in the final third, and were forced to try from range, first Stoppelkamp for the hosts, before Koo tried his luck for Mainz, but both failed to trouble the ‘keeper.
Just a few minutes later though, the deadlock was broken. Geis curled a costless-kick which hit the post, but the ball rebounded back perfectly for Okasaki, who had the simple task of slotting home into the empty net.
That lead lasted all of four minutes though, Geis executing a poor ball back to his defender, and the lively Kachunga struck a fierce effort which left Karius with no chance as it nestled into the corner.
After the equaliser, the game calmed down slightly, the last chance of the half an inswinging set-piece from Stoppelkamp, which Karius misjudged and was relieved to see it float just wide.
Jara replaced Noveski in the second period, and it was nearly the goalkeeper that had to be replaced when he collided with Bungert, coming off worse as blood poured from his nose. He carried on though, and was nearly called into action when the home side came forward minutes later. Paderborn broke into the box, but met a stern defence as four shots were all blocked by great challenges.
It was the home side who looked the more likely, substitute Moritz having to be alert to block a Hünemeier shot as the clocked ticked to 70’. They nearly got that goal too, when Kachunga met a good pass from Koc, only to see Karius equal to it.
The 22 year old had a fantastic game, and was replaced to a rapturous applause just a minute later for Ducksch.
Koo then nearly stole the game for Paderborn, his curling effort looked goal bound, but Ziegler got an important flick to send it wide. The 0-Fives nearly made them pay for that, Bungert reacted first to Geis’ corner, only to see his header easily saved.
Rupp and Vucinovic entered the fray for the final 10, as André Breitenreiter’s side sensed they could take the win. They were nearly behind after 82 minutes though, when Jara unleashed an effort that flew just wide.
That looked to be the last chance as the clock ticked on, but there was still time for plenty of drama. The hosts hard-work paid off when Hünemeier powered a header past Karius after a great cross from Bakalorz, giving them a goal that they thought that had given them the three points in their debut Bundesliga clash.
Okasaki then hit the bar with a header, before a huge penalty shout when Wemmer took out Malli with an overhead clearance. As injury time came, Mainz pressed, and Paderborn retreated. That pressure told when the hero Hünemeier turned to zero, bringing down Okasaki in the area with barely seconds to play.
Koo stepped up, and hit the bottom corner, sending the away fans crazy and ensuring that Kasper Hjulmand’s side came away with a valuable point from the opener.