in their return season to the bundesliga in 2007–08 they finished 11th, fading in the second half of the year after a strong start that saw them positioned in the qualifying places for european competition. the club continued to perform poorly in the 2008–09 season, ultimately finishing 17th and finding themselves relegated to the 2. bundesliga once more. the club's two most recent campaigns there ended with 10th and 15th-place finishes. karlsruhe finished second level as 16th and faced jahn regensburg with relegation play-offs. these teams draw with as 1–1 at regensburg and as 2–2 at karlsruhe. this meant karlsruhe's relegation to third tier after 12 years according to away goal rule.