Hamburg (dpa) – The dream of the first cup victory after 35 years lives in the north. But like several times this season, Hamburger SV did not go without drama in the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup.
“We’re used to extra time in the cup,” said sporting director Jonas Boldt after the 3-2 penalty shoot-out against Karlsruher SC.
In fact, HSV is following the law of the series this cup season. 120 minutes was not enough against KSC, previously against 1. FC Köln in the round of 16 and against 1. FC Nürnberg in the second round, target shooting from the penalty spot also had to bring the decision. Only the opening round at third-division side Eintracht Braunschweig had the Hamburgers behind them with a tight 2-1 in regular time. The series allows the conclusion: HSV needs the thrill.
What does that mean for the promotion race of the 2nd league? After the game in Braunschweig last August, HSV suffered a bitter 3-2 defeat in the prestige duel against city rivals FC St. Pauli. The long October evening in Nuremberg was followed four days later by a 1-1 draw against Holstein Kiel. Three days after the penalty kick thriller at Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln in January, HSV celebrated a 2-1 win against neighboring St. Pauli after being 1-0 down.
And now, on Saturday at 1. FC Nürnberg? “That will give us a boost for the next few weeks,” said Boldt, adding: “We have super morale this season.” As fourth in the table, his team does not want to lose contact with the promotion places.
The cup semifinals will be drawn on Sunday. Only one Bundesliga club can be considered as an opponent: RB Leipzig, Union Berlin or SC Freiburg. The games will be played on April 19th and 20th. “I would be happy if we could stay in Hamburg,” said Boldt. And then thousands of HSV fans will probably want to go to Berlin: the Olympic Stadium will be on May 21st.