Hamburger SV 1-0 SC Freiburg, Saturday 21st April 2018

Hamburger SV 1-0 SC Freiburg, Bundesliga (att. 54,847)

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I’ve been aiming to visit Hamburger SV for a while and I’d decided I MUST see them while they are in the Bundesliga.  After all, they’re the only side never to have been relegated from the top division, and don’t they like to crow about it, having a digital clock in the north west corner commemorating how long they have served in the Bundesliga – to the second.  Former champions of Europe, nevermind Germany, I’ve been following Hamburger’s efforts to get relegated for several years.  The last 5 years have been one inexorable struggle whereby every year (seemingly) a late run, or a relegation play-off, saves them.  They’d turned into a German Aston Villa, simply existing, hanging around like a bad smell, depriving some other team who might do something, a place at the top table.

The clock.

However, finally…finally, this appears to be their year, the season they finally…finally…get relegated.  With 4 matches to go they’re 8 points off 3^rd (and 4^th and 5^th) off bottom.  3^rd off bottom and they have the reprieve of another relegation play-off.  And who’re today’s visitors?  Why, it’s 3^rd off bottom Freiburg.  With a keen eye on the table, I’d hoped this would be Freiburg’s chance to deliver the coup de grace, the final shot.  However, this couldn’t be, as 5^th off bottom Wolfsburg had been beaten the night before.  So, a Hamburger victory and the dream would live on.

Inside the Volkparkstadion.

The stadium was easy to get to, a S-bahn (train) to Stellingen.  I was staying in St. Pauli, so there was a direct service from Reeperbahn station.  Once at Stellingen, it’s a 20 minute walk, mainly through forest and around a hill.  Not quite the Waldstadion, Frankfurt, as there were great views of some industrial park or other, but pleasant enough, pedestrianised.  With my partner needing the toilet, we were keen to get inside, so it was blow when I wasn’t allowed in because of my small bag.  We were directed to put it inside a container (the same thing happens at Dortmund…and Hallescher) but the container was full.  We ended up doing a lap of the stadium, to no avail.  There wasn’t another container.  Having considered the options, I took the stuff out of my bag (a newspaper), folded it up, and put it in my partner’s handbag.  Brilliant, we were in!

The crowd outside Stellingen.

By now, kick-off time was approaching.  Considering this was all my idea, I thought I’d better get the beer and wurst in, which meant missing the teams coming out, but whatthehell?  I heard the music leading up to the club’s anthem.  If you can imagine the theme to The Third Man, played on some kind of acoustic guitar, getting faster and faster.  It was unique, I’ll say that.

We were in the upper tier, behind the goal opposite the ultras.  I’d bought them on HSV’s website several weeks earlier.  Say what I like about wanting them to lose, these were the most spacious seats I’ve ever had at a stadium, plenty of room for folk to get past even if you were sat down.  Heaven compared to being jammed in at Old Trafford.  If you like the full sitting down in huge megastadium experience, this is well worth a visit, though for sheer passion and enjoyment, you're better off on the terraces of St. Pauli.

The Hamburger SV ultras.

It was an exciting game too.  Both sides had chances in the 1^st half, though Freiburg can kick themselves for not putting the game to bed, missing several gilt-edged opportunities, including one bizarre scramble where they had 3 or 4 shots. Needless to say, these things come back to bite you, and in the second half, Lewis Holtby (former Spurs reserve) slotted home the winner to the delight of over 50,000 Hamburgers.  Indeed, he’d been the stand-out performer for the red shorts, not just in the way he played, but in the way he was chief cheerleader, constantly cajoling the supporters into making some noise. He certainly hasn’t given up the cause and the fans were up for it, a cacophony of sound throughout.  Can HSV do the unthinkable and survive AGAIN?  I'm almost hoping they do.  Almost.

The Damage (for 2):

€26 ent (x2)

€5 delivery to England

= €57

I can’t remember how much the beer and sausages were, probably around €3-€3.50 each.

Volksparkstadion panorama.

Collecting the empties...

1st view of stadium.

HSV offices next door.

Where's my entrance?

Spot the ball.

The net, embossed with club badge.

The Freiburg fans (in the corner).

The exec area and behind.

WTF?  Hamburger SV mascot.

Christian Streich on the Freiburg bench.  Or not on it.

 

Full-time.

The ultras celebrate.

Training pitches behind the stadium.