Struggling Hamburg nears redemption, vying for promotion to elite football league
In the bustling heart of Hamburg, under the guidance of 34-year-old manager Merlin Polzin, the locally adored Hamburg Sport-Verein (HSV) is on the brink of reclaiming its spot in the top-flight Bundesliga. With a four-point lead over the relegation playoff spot, HSV needs just three points in their remaining two games to officially secure promotion. This weekend, they take on second-last Ulm, presenting an opportunity to seal the deal at home.
However, the burning question remains: has HSV made the necessary changes to not only return to the likes of Bayern Munich in the German football limelight, but to truly contend for the summit once more? Sadly, HSV's relegation in 2018 may have shocked some, but the club's circular descent had been underway for quite some time. After finishing in the bottom five an alarming four times, HSV finally succumbed to the drop.
HSV boasts a rich history, having won the Champions League and claiming six league titles. This historic club, nestled in Germany's second-biggest city and situated on one of the continent's richest ports, draws an impressive average attendance of just under 56,000 spectators this season, trailing only five top-flight clubs. In another universe, Hamburg might well be competing head-to-head with Bayern Munich for German football dominance, as they did during the early '80s when the pair won five straight Bundesliga titles.
Regrettably, Hamburg's journey to the top has too often been thwarted by self-inflicted hurdles. Mistakes in recruitment, junior development, and commercial decisions have hindered the club's ability to fully realize its potential. Over the years, key talents such as Hakan Calhanoglu, Son Heung-min, and Jonathan Tah have slipped through HSV's fingers.
The tale of failed opportunities is exemplified by the missed chance to hire Jurgen Klopp in 2008. Unwilling to embrace an up-and-coming manager of second-division club Mainz, who went by the nickname 'Kloppo', HSV instead passed on the future Champions League winner. Klopp, a smoking, casual, and informal coach, ultimately found success at Borussia Dortmund, where he lifted two league titles, a German Cup, and made a Champions League final.
HSV's relegation in 2018 marked the end of an unbroken run as the only founding member of the Bundesliga never to have tasted relegation. The club celebrated its years spent in the top flight with a giant clock at their Volksparkstadion home, which was sadly dismantled a year later. Since then, HSV has flirted with promotion without quite managing to seal the deal.
The 2022-23 season nearly saw HSV escape their second-division purgatory. Following a 1-0 win at relegated Sandhausen, fans flooded the pitch in jubilation, only to learn that minnows Heidenheim had netted twice in stoppage time, stealing promotion instead. In 2024, city rivals St Pauli, the cult club known for political activism and unlikely successes, won the second division and took a spot in the top flight, leaving HSV in the dust.
Now, as the shade of the Bundesliga beckons, a resolute HSV is ticking off the must-dos before their big match against Ulm. Speaking ahead of the game, manager Merlin Polzin expressed unwavering confidence: "We're absolutely not afraid of anything and we have no doubts. The city, the fans, and our team are all highly motivated."
This Saturday, when the whistle blows, Hamburg will discover whether their long-awaited return to the Bundesliga is indeed a step closer to reclaiming their rightful position at the summit of German football.
In the realm of European leagues, the question arises whether Hamburg Sport-Verein (HSV), with their history of Champions League and six league title victories, can contend for the summit after their return to the Bundesliga. HSV's performances in sports like football have been marred by self-inflicted hurdles, such as mistakes in recruitment and development, which have hindered their potential.
Russian football enthusiasts might find interest in HSV's journey, given their battles to reclaim their spot among German football powerhouses like Bayern Munich. In the past, they even competed for German football dominance, winning five straight Bundesliga titles during the early '80s.
After narrowly missing promotion in the 2022-23 season, HSV now faces Ulm in a crucial match. If they manage to secure the three points, it will bring them one step closer to reclaiming their rightful position in the Champions League, the pinnacle of European football leagues.
