DFB-Pokal
24.10.16
DFB Cup: To the east again, this time Halle
HSV visit third division side Halleschen FC in round two of the DFB Cup. Once again the Rothosen travel to the eastern part of Germany.
German national team manager Oliver Bierhoff pulled the ball from the hat for the second round draw of the 2016/17 DFB Cup on live TV back on August 26. As the seasoned former Germany forward pulled out HSV’s name and the opposition nobody could believe it. Another east German club and a third division side again involving a long journey. It all began in round one away to FSV Zwickau, where Alen Halilovic’s solitary goal saw the Bundesliga visitors through to round two.
Sixth duel
HSV’s faithful travelling fans travelled 540 kilometres to Zwickau. This time they will only be going 355. The game in Zwickau marked the opening of their new stadium. Halle though have had their own stadium for five years. The 15,000 capacity Erdgas Sportpark stadium has protected parts to it including historic walls and the corners of the ground. The stadium was officially opened on September 20th 2011. The opposition that day? HSV who else!
In the last of all told four friendly games against the club from the Sachsen-Anhalt region the Rothosen ran out the 4-1 winners. The Hamburg goals were scored by Sören Bertram (2), Markus Berg and Daniel Nagy. The club used to be called Wacker Halle who HSV also beat 3-2 back in 1930. There followed further Hamburg success against BSG Turbine Halle (1951 – 2-2 and 3-1). The clubs also met in the DFB Cup in 1991 as the Rothosen reserves won out 1-0, in front of 600 inside the local Edmund-Plambeck Stadion in Norderstedt. Michael Olsen scored the winner that day for the team under head coach Benno Möhlmann. Andreas Reinke and Stefan played that day Schnoor.
Underdogs relishing challenge
The teams meet again on Tuesday night (25.10.16, 8.45 PM). For the third division hosts it is a very special occasion: “It is a dream draw for us. A Bundesliga team at home in Halle: What more do you want?”, asks HFC-Manager Ralph Kühne.
Manager Ralph Kühne: “Obviously HSV are the pre-match favourites, but we don’t have to run and hide with our home crowd behind us.” After reaching round 2 of the DFB Cup for the first time, Halle would create history by beating HSV who have done nothing but struggle so far this season. The Erdgas Sportpark is sold out and HSV sold their contingent of 1,400 tickets within mintes. So it is time to travel east again: This time to Halle.