Armed assault escalates towards the intended ascension in HSV.
From heartache to elation, the Hamburger SV (HSV) storms back to the Bundesliga after a seven-year absence. An exhilarating 6-1 home win against SSV Ulm 1846 sealed the deal on matchday 33, marking the end of the traditional club's prolonged struggle in the second division.
The Volkspark Stadium roared with a staggering 57,000 fans as the former titan celebrated its well-deserved return to the top league. Goals from Ludovit Reis (10'), Ransford Königsdörffer (42'), Davie Selke (45.+4), Philipp Strompf (OG, 49'), Königsdörffer (62'), and Daniel Elfadli (86.) highlighted a spectacular performance that put an end to any lingering doubts.
The nail-biting encounter was set up early, with Tom Gaal's opener for Ulm (7') briefly silencing the crowd. HSV goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes' heroics, including a vital saved penalty (36'), set the stage for Hamburg's comeback.
Even before the final whistle, spectators embraced one another in the stands, while first mayor Peter Tschentscher joined the revelry. The torment of the beleaguered club in the second league is finally over as the once Bundesliga colossus is revitalized. Ulm's premature relegation to the 3. Liga followed the defeat.
Vincent Kompany, now Bayern's master coach and a former HSV player, cheered from Munich, expressing his support and delight. "Great people deserve luck," he said on Sky. "I'll be flying to Hamburg twice – that's fantastic."
A confident HSV coach Merlin Polzin, the eight director to take on the promotion assignment, eagerly anticipated a "very special night." The 34-year-old tactician rose to the challenge, surpassing his prestigious predecessors like Christian Titz, Hannes Wolf, Dieter Hecking, Daniel Thioune, Tim Walter, and Steffen Baumgart, who have all failed to secure promotion since 2018.
Although the frenzied atmosphere put Ulm in control, HSV quickly responded to Gaal's opener. Superb teamwork between Jean-Luc Dompe and Miro Muheim set up Reis, who finished from 17 meters with a calm first-time strike. The saved penalty and Königsdoerffer's clinical finish (62') turned the tide, with subsequent goals by Selke (45.+4) and an own goal (49') confirming HSV's victory and their long-sought promotion.
A New Era Awaits the HSV
As the HSV prepares to leave the second division behind, the club hopes to reclaim its prominent position in German football. Boasting a strong squad and consistent performances, the revitalized team is poised to make a splash in the upcoming Bundesliga season.
Sources: ntv.de, tsi/sid/dpa
Hamburger SV
- German Football Club Founded: 1887
- Bundesliga Titles: 6
- European Cup/UEFA Champions League Victory: 1983
- Relegation to 2. Bundesliga: 2018
- Return to Bundesliga: 2025-26 Season
Key Players
- Merlin Polzin – Coach
- Davie Selke – Striker
- Jean-Luc Dompé – Midfielder
- Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer – Midfielder
Overview
Founded in 1887, HSV has a rich history in German football, boasting six Bundesliga titles and a win in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League. After a seven-year hiatus, the team returned to the Bundesliga for the 2025-26 season following a thrilling 6-1 victory over Ulm. Key players such as Coach Merlin Polzin, striker Davie Selke, and midfielder Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer played critical roles in HSV's victorious campaign. The road to promotion was marked by setbacks, with multiple near-misses and relegation in 2018. However, the club's resilience and determination ultimately paid off, culminating in their triumphant return to the Bundesliga.
- The newly promoted HSV, led by coach Merlin Polzin, aims to restore its prominence in German football, buoyed by a strong squad and consistent performances.
- Davie Selke, a key striker, scored a crucial goal in HSV's 6-1 victory against Ulm, paving the way for the team's return to the Bundesliga after a seven-year absence.
- Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer, another vital midfielder, contributed decisively to HSV's promotion with both goals, securing their place in the upcoming Bundesliga season.
- Less than a year after climbing back into the Bundesliga, HSV boasts a storied history in German football, with six Bundesliga titles, a European Cup/UEFA Champions League victory, and a relegation in 2018 to their credit.
