For years, HSV was the victim of German professional football. The Kühne millions burned senselessly. After relegation in 2018, fourth place three times in a row because the club regularly failed on its nerves in the spring. In addition, a huge mountain full of embarrassments.
If the competition wanted to have fun, there was always enough material in the Volkspark.
That has changed fundamentally in the last few months. Especially after the 1-0 triumph in the first relegation game at Hertha BSC. Will Hamburg have the Bundesliga back in two days?
From laughter to favorite
In mid-April, HSV seemed to be back where they always were in the spring. 0:1 bankruptcy on matchday 29 in Kiel, sixth place, seven points behind relegation place three (then St. Pauli).
Even the fans were skeptical. 27,136 spectators against Paderborn (1-2), 21,890 spectators against Aue (4-0), 24,892 fans against Karlsruhe (3-0). The HSV Arena isn’t even half full anymore.
A few weeks and six victories in a row later, traffic on the A24 between Berlin and Hamburg is backed up at night. The gas stations are hard to get to, and the fast-food restaurants on the side of the autobahn are hopelessly overcrowded.
20,000 hamburgers on the way back from Berlin. Victory drunk after the 1-0 in front of 75,500 spectators in the sold-out Olympic Stadium.
Team, bosses and fans are a unit like they haven’t been for a long time. The professionals not only rave about their trainer Tim Walter (46), but also about the support of their followers.
Midfielder Jonas Meffert (27) on the atmosphere in the Olympic Stadium: “It was incredible how the fans supported us. It felt like a home game. You really felt that on the pitch.”
Goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes (29): “It’s amazing how the fans support us. That also makes the team stronger. I’m proud of what we show on the pitch, but also of the support we have off it.”
The HSV fans set off fireworks in the stands in Berlin. Great choreography, brutal cheering – and the Ultras also had a lot to light up.
Football is fun again at HSV. With his methods, Walter instilled the will to win, courage and passion in his pros in just under a year.
Hamburg didn’t have that many chances against Hertha. There was also a bit of luck in the tight offside decision against Berlin’s Ishak Belfodil (44′) and Ludovit Reis’ unsuccessful cross from the winning goal (57′).
However: HSV deserved the win with their mentality and commitment. 57% won duels in such an important game speak for themselves.
A game separates Hamburg from the Bundesliga.
Sport director Jonas Boldt (40): “On Monday we want to put the crown on it. The situation is comfortable because we’re going into the home game with a goal. The fans will carry us there. The city is on fire. We have invested a lot and will see it through.”
