HSV in the relegation: “We deserve the two bonus games”

Stand: 15.05.2022 | Reading time: 2 minutes

Et seems like HSV can’t do it without drama. The Hamburgers led 3:1 at Hansa Rostock and had secured the relegation place three. But then Lukas Fröde reduced the lead to 2:3 for Hansa in injury time and the big tremors began at HSV. Goalkeeper Daniel Heuer-Fernandes had to defuse a good chance for the hosts.

But he held on to the victory and secured the relegation for the Hamburgers. There, Tim Walter’s team is fighting Hertha BSC for promotion. The first game will take place next Thursday in Berlin, the second leg four days later in Hamburg.

“There is nothing better than winning a game like this today. What we play for a season is really good,” said HSV captain Sebastian Schonlau after the game in Rostock on Sky. The season wasn’t always really good. Only five victories in a row secured the Hamburgers the chance that many no longer thought possible to return to the top flight after four years in the second division. “I’m glad how the guys rocked it today. That was worthy of all honor,” said Walter. “We really deserved the two bonus games.”

The fact that HSV was able to intervene in the promotion process at all was due not only to their own strength in the final sprint, but also to the weakening competition. After the 1-0 defeat at Holstein Kiel in April, it all seemed to be over: HSV, seven points behind third place, was considered written off.

Walter was eyed more critically. In connection with his team, the 46-year-old spoke more of development and less of results and stubbornly stuck to his risky game idea. But in sports director Jonas Boldt, who has been working on the promotion project since 2019, he always had his strongest advocate and was able to continue working in peace.

Despite criticism, HSV stuck to Walter

After the Kiel game, the Hamburgers started their series, the Walter critics became quieter with every victory. The competitors Schalke 04, Werder Bremen, Darmstadt 98 and above all city rivals FC St. Pauli failed, HSV was back in the promotion race. And with every success, self-confidence grew. “It’s more than deserved. We played an outstanding season. We go into the games with a lot of confidence,” said Boldt.

Hamburg refrained from making major declarations of war before the two games against Hertha. “We’ve played two more games in which we want to prevail. We have to focus on that now,” said Mario Vuskovic.