Match report
18.01.25
HSV kick off 2025 with 1-0 win
The Rothosen won 1-0 in their first competitive fixture of the year, a Saturday evening clash against 1. FC Köln. Königsdörffer scored the decisive goal late on.
Hamburger SV made a positive start to the second half of the 2024/25 Bundesliga 2 campaign on Saturday evening (18th January). Playing in the prime time kick-off slot in front of a sold-out, 57,000-strong crowd at the Volksparkstadion, HSV won 1-0 against 1. FC Köln. The hosts were the more active side in the intensive first half which was rather bereft of chances, but they got their reward in the second half with a late goal. Although he initially missed his penalty, Königsdörffer converted on the rebound to notch the game-winning goal and ensure the Rothosen got 2025 underway with a victory.
Intensive first half...
Head coach Merlin Polzin made two changes to the side that began the last game of 2024, the 5-0 victory over Fürth. Elfadil, who had recently been suspended, replaced Schonlau at centre-back, whilst Jatta got the nod over Sahiti on the right wing. Tonight’s game saw the league’s third- and first-placed sides pitted against one another, and due to increased levels of traffic, the game kicked off 15 minutes later than usual, and there was another slow start in terms of the opening exchanges. The game was halted for several minutes due to clouds of smoke emerging from the away end, and then the flow of the match was interrupted by hard tackles, fouls and offsides. In the midst of this melange, HSV were playing the more active role in the game, but both Dompe (11’) and Selke (15’) saw their shots blocked.
This duo were to combine in the 25th minute as the former put in a good cross for the latter, but the striker was just inches away from making contact with the ball. Playing a fiery game in freezing conditions, the Rothosen kept a cool head as well as the upper hand, penning their visitors in their own half for long phases and getting the best chance of the half just before the break. Following a neat string of passes, Dompe’s corner-bound shot was kept out by Köln keeper Schwäbe. At the other end, a compact HSV defence and the alert keeper in Heuer Fernandes, who guarded his penalty box well, meant that there were no chances for the visitors: therefore, it was 0-0 going into the interval.
...and a late winner
Polzin decided to make a change at the break, as Richter came on for Pherai, who had picked up a yellow in the first half. The second 45 minutes began as the first had ended: with HSV on top. Selke’s first-time shot after being played in by Mikelbrencis went narrowly wide (48’). Around ten minutes later, only Schwäbe’s right arm could come between HSV and the lead. Following a Muheim corner, Karabec placed a powerful header towards the visitors goal, forcing a fine reflex save out of the FCK keeper, who somehow tipped it over the bar (60’). At this stage of the game, the away side began to attack more. Almost immediately after the Rothosen’s big opportunity, Elfadil made a vital block to deny substitute Thielmann in the HSV penalty area, before another substitute, Sahiti, tested the gloves of Schwäbe once more with an effort on goal.
The game had opened up more, and this brought about a foul on Richter by Finkgräfe in the penalty area in the 77th minute, resulting in a penalty for HSV. Königsdörffer stepped up, but his driven effort was stopped by Schwäbe. However, he was able to turn the ball home on the rebound to make it 1-0, sparking huge celebrations at the Volksparkstadion (78’). HSV then gave it their all to defend their deserved lead, looking to see the game out. Heuer Fernandes made a key contribution to this task, coming out on top in a one-on-one against Obuz, with what was Köln’s best chance of the night (89’). This ensured not only that the Rothosen remained unbeaten in their tenth home game of the season (W5, D5), but also that they leapfrog 1. FC Köln and sit at the top of the Bundesliga 2 table, at least for this evening. An ideal start to the second half of the season!
Match facts:
Hamburger SV: Heuer Fernandes - Mikelbrencis, Hadzikadunic, Elfadli, Muheim - Meffert, Karabec (72' Poreba), Pherai (46' Richter) - Jatta (57' Sahiti), Selke (72' Königsdörffer), Dompe (84' Hefti)
1. FC Köln: Schwäbe - Hübers, Martel, Heintz - Gazibegovic (58' Thielmann), Ljubicic, Huseinbasic (76' Obuz), Pacarada (46' Finkgräfe) - Waldschmidt (58' Kainz) - Downs (67' Tigges), Maina
Goals: 1-0 Königsdörffer (78')
Attendance: 57,000
Referee: Christian Dingert (Lebecksmühle)
Yellow cards: Pherai, Elfadli, Mikelbrencis / Gazibegovic, Waldschmidt, Hübers, Finkgräfe