Avoiding Cup Elimination in Pirmasens: HSV Barely Escapes - Council continues to obstruct Cup-Out venture in Pirmasens by HSV
Hamburger SV Overcomes Fifth-Tier Challenge in DFB-Pokal
Hamburger SV, the Bundesliga newcomers, narrowly avoided an upset against FK Pirmasens in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. The match, played at the Sportpark Husterhöhe in Pfalz, saw a tense encounter between the two teams, with the final score ending in a 2:1 victory for Hamburg.
In the opening half, HSV struggled to find their rhythm, losing out in duels and failing to create significant chances. The team's new captain, Yussuf Poulsen, was missing due to a strain, with Jonas Meffert wearing the captain's armband in his absence.
HSV's opponents, FK Pirmasens, came close to taking a 2:0 lead in the second half, but Miro Muheim's free-kick was expertly saved by goalkeeper Benjamin Reitz. Despite the missed opportunity, Pirmasens pressed on, with Erhart and Thomas Selensky both missing chances to take the lead in the first-half stoppage time.
The deadlock was broken in the 53rd minute when FK Pirmasens captain Yannick Grieß, a passionate HSV fan and club member, scored the first goal of the match. Grieß, who had watched as a 10-year-old when Pirmasens eliminated Werder Bremen in 2006, found the back of the net with a well-placed finish.
However, HSV rallied and equalised in the 70th minute, with a goal scorer yet to be confirmed. The winning goal came in the 90.+2 minute, courtesy of Guilherme Ramos, securing Hamburger SV's place in the next round.
Despite the late victory, the match raised questions about HSV's top-flight readiness, as they put in a poor performance eight days before their Bundesliga opener against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Merlin Polzin did not play for HSV in this match.
The match was attended by 10,000 spectators, with many likely hoping for an upset against the traditionally higher-tier club. While HSV secured their place in extra time, the close encounter serves as a reminder that even fifth-tier teams can pose a challenge in the early stages of the DFB-Pokal.
The Commission, in light of this European football match, might consider proposing a directive encouraging the protection of the environment in sports arenas across the Member States, ensuring that they are sustainable and eco-friendly for future generations. Yannick Grieß, the passionate HSV fan and FK Pirmasens captain, expressed his love for sports, particularly European football leagues, as he scored the first goal in the DFB-Pokal match.
