Status: 07.09.2025 9:37 p.m.
The HSV women cheered the 3: 3 when they returned to the Bundesliga against VfL Wolfsburg like a win. The Wolfsburg women not only annoyed themselves over the late equalization, but also hope that the goal line technology will finally be introduced to women.
When referee Angelika Söder whistled and on goal for the HSV, all the dams broke in the Volksparkstadion. The players stormed in front of the north grandstand, where shortly afterwards the complete bank line was arrived. The 3: 3 in the 97th minute against the big favorite Wolfsburg caused collective joy.
I don’t think the referee can say with certainty from this angle that the ball was in the goal.
Wolfsburg’s goalkeeper Stina Johannes
On the other hand, everyone at VfL was stunned: Stina Johannes, who believed to have held the free kick from Svea Stordt in combination with the post, was written in the face. The goalkeeper tried to convince Söder the opposite. But that was as unsuccessful as the protest of coach Stephan Lerch on the sidelines at the fourth official Anna-Lena Heidenreich.
“I am angry and disappointed,” said goalkeeper Johannes a little later in the interview. “I don’t think the referee or the line judge can say with certainty from this angle that the ball was in the goal. I had the ball right in front of myself and in my opinion he was still on the line.”
Lerch: “Should talk about goal line technology”
The TV pictures could not clarify whether the ball was in there or not. This in turn brought VfL coach Stephan Lerch to the obvious requirement: “We should start talking about the goal line technology. Maybe that’s a way that we get implemented. At this point it would simply have been good – no matter how it goes out.
The goal line technology has not yet existed as well as the video evidence among women. In view of the significantly lower costs, Lerch hopes that the Bundesliga will at least be “implemented” at least the goal line technology.
Wolfsburg already looked like the safe winner
However, Lerch and Johannes not only annoyed themselves about the late and possibly wrongly given, but also that Wolfsburg had given a safe victory out of his hand.
Because actually the “wolf” had everything under control and looked like the safe winners. Lineth Beerensteyn (26th) and Janina Minge (29th) had taken care of the 2-0 lead of the guests. At the beginning of Sophie Hillebrand (31st), Alexandra Popp gave the answer in the form of 3: 1 at the beginning of the second half of the game (52.). And after that, not much had actually happened.
“We lacked strength and conviction after the 1: 3,” said HSV trainer Liése Brancao, who had a simple explanation that her team could come back. “The fans pushed us again.”
Volksparkstadion as a “great advantage” for the HSV
First, newcomer Melanie Brunnthaler brought hope back with a dream goal. “I all had told me at halftime that I should shoot on the goal. And when the ball came, I knew: Now the chance is there,” the 24-year-old described her thoughts before the full 16-meter shot to 2: 3 in the corner (81.).
I didn’t really see it. I just saw that we cheered and then I cheered. No idea – gate is gate.
HSV goalkeeper Svea Stordt
Now everything seemed possible again and the fans continued to drive the HSV. “I am not sure whether we would have done this change away again,” said Brancao. “The atmosphere in this stadium is a great advantage for us.”
Captain Pauline power (left) and Melanie Brunnthaler from the HSV women cheer after the 3: 3 against Wolfsburg.
In the seventh minute of stoppage time there was again free kick from the half field for the HSV. Stumpt brought the ball towards the gate with a cut. Girlfriend and enemy missed. Johannes was on it, the post as well – and after the keeper had just brought the ball under control, the whistle sounded and the referee team decided to 3: 3.
Even VfL goalkeeper Johannes praises the HSV fans
Stordt spoke of a “blatant feeling”. For Pauline, it was “pure madness”. The HSV captain added that she had goose bumps in many moments of the game: “It was extremely exhausting. But the last push from the fans helped us incredibly.”
Almost 12,000 spectators had given the first women’s Bundesliga game in the Volksparkstadion at all. And even VfL goalkeeper Johannes knew that despite all the adversities: “It was an outstanding crowd, an outstanding stadium. When I heard that the HSV women play here in the Volksparkstadion, I was very happy. At least from the side in the stadium was a lot of fun. The place and the fans were great.”
