Darmstadt will join German second division champion Ingolstadt in the Bundesliga next season after beating St. Pauli 1-0 on the last day of the season Sunday.
Tobias Kempe scored in the 78th minute for Darmstadt, which was promoted from the third division last season, to finish second with 59 points — one ahead of Karlsruher SC, which defeated 1860 Munich 2-0.
Karlsruher SC now faces Hamburger SV in a two-legged playoff to determine which side plays topflight football next season.
Darmstadt previously played two seasons in the Bundesliga, in 1978-79 and 1981-82.
Kaiserslautern had been on course for the relegation/promotion playoff place before Kempe's goal lifted Darmstadt clear and Ingolstadt equalized to draw with Kaiserslautern 1-1.
Kaiserslautern finished fourth on 56 points.
Ingolstadt was promoted last Sunday.
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