After seven years of suffering, Hamburger SV, six-time German champion, secured its return to the Bundesliga by defeating Ulm 6-1 in Germany’s second division on Saturday.
Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer scored two goals and Daniel Heuer Fernandes saved a penalty, allowing Hamburg to move to the top of the division, with an unassailable four-point lead over third-placed Elversberg with one matchday remaining.
We are back!
Merlin Polzin, Hamburg coach
Polzin, a Hamburg native, took over the position on an interim basis in November and continued in the role. He confirmed that his contract will be extended for the first division.
Hamburg was the last Bundesliga member to have played every season since its creation in 1963, earning the nickname “der Dino”, until it finally descended in 2018 after several scares.
The club threatened to return every season it was away, but suffered setbacks at crucial moments.
Hamburg finished fourth in their first three seasons in the second division. Then they were third twice, only to lose the playoff against the team that finished third from bottom in the Bundesliga on both occasions. Last season they finished fourth again.
Hamburg needed a win on Saturday to ensure they finished in the top two and achieved direct promotion. Thousands of their fans greeted the team bus on its way to the stadium with chants, cheers, flags, and flares.
They probably feared the worst when Ulm defender Tom Gaal put the visitors ahead in the seventh minute.
But Ludovit Reis responded three minutes later, then Fernandes saved a penalty, and the home team scored twice before the break through Königsdörffer and Davie Selke.
The following goal confirmed that it was Hamburg’s night, with Ulm goalkeeper Niclas Thiede failing to deal with a seemingly harmless cross against his own defender, Philipp Strompf, to deflect it.
Königsdörffer scored his second goal in the 62nd minute to dispel any last doubts among Hamburg fans, and Daniel Elfadli completed the rout.
While Ulm descended to the third division, thousands of Hamburg fans invaded the field to celebrate their team’s promotion.
