The Nobel laureate has been condemned for partnering with Hillary Clinton, an outspoken supporter of Israel's war against Hamas
Bremen, which finished third from bottom in the top division, will have to do without captain Niklas Moisander for the second leg on Monday after he was sent off late with his second yellow card for a poor challenge.
Florian Kohfeldt's side were relieved not to concede in injury time when Heidenheim defender Timo Beermann headed just wide from Marc Schnatterer's corner.
It was the closest either side came to scoring in a game of few opportunities played in heavy rain from a summer thunderstorm.
Heidenheim, based in southwestern Germany, are bidding to reach the Bundesliga for the first time.
Schmidt previously played for the club and took over as coach on an interim basis when Heidenheim was playing at the local fifth-tier Oberliga level.
Five seasons later, Heidenheim won the third division for promotion to the second. This is the club's first shot at playing in the top division.
The Nobel laureate has been condemned for partnering with Hillary Clinton, an outspoken supporter of Israel's war against Hamas
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