During the DFB-Pokal second-round match between Hamburger SV and Eintracht Frankfurt at the Volksparkstadion, a large fan banner targeted prominent German YouTube chef Bernd Zehner with a cartoon depiction, as reported by T-Online.
Karikatur in der Nordkurve provoziert Reaktion
The display in the Hamburg Nordkurve featured an oversized caricature of a man wearing underwear stamped with the Eintracht Frankfurt crest and the word “Frankfurt” tattooed on his left arm, accompanied by the phrase “Vom Wal zum Aal” (“From whale to eel”). T-Online identified the figure as the 46-year-old culinary creator and dedicated Frankfurt supporter. Zehner uses the phrase “Vom Wal zum Aal” as the motto for his weight-loss project.
Zehner responded swiftly through his Instagram account. He posted a dark image on his Instagram Story with the text: “Der Wal schwimmt weiter, der Dino geht baden. Nur die SGE,” referencing both the whale motif and Hamburg, as reported by Sport1.
Frankfurt Choreo From Previous Season Set the Stage
The banner exchange stems from bad blood during the previous Bundesliga season. When the two clubs last met in May, Eintracht Frankfurt supporters unveiled a choreography mocking the relegation-threatened Hamburg side using an image of “Timmy,” a stranded humpback whale. That display featured a crossed-out HSV diamond and the taunting caption “Wa(h)lheimat 2. Liga” (“Whale-home / True home: 2nd Division”).
While the home fans in Hamburg struck back with their banner in the cup tie, the action on the pitch favored the visitors. Eintracht Frankfurt defeated the hosts 1-3 to eliminate them from the DFB-Pokal tournament, according to match records.
Upcoming Bundesliga Fixture at Eintracht Frankfurt
The rivalry resumes quickly. Following the cup fixture, Hamburger SV travels to face Eintracht Frankfurt again in a Bundesliga league match, continuing a busy stretch of fixtures between the two traditional German clubs.
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